








.• <f ^■ 







r%:'-:o'\y:'\ 






f ' .s^^, •. 




v%,^^ - 










_: ^^o. \^ 


















'-%>. ,A^ ♦', 



♦ <.<i 



** '"^. 











♦\n^^°- 
















•- ^^d* 



r "^ ^ 



.r-^. 



'•^-'>\..»,V'»--'V 




"^'\#-'- 



s^^Cj 



s^ .d« 



,^^ 







HISTORY OF MICHIGAN, 



FROM ITS EARLIEST COLONIZATION TO THE 
PESSENT TIVE. 



lP 



^> 



BY JAMES H. LANMAN 

II 



NEW YORK: 
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 

329 & 331 PEARL STREET, 
FKANKLIN SQUARE 

185 9. 



■3' 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, \iy * _ 

Harper & Brothers, 
In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York- 



^t/ 



PREFACE, 



The design of this volume is to present to the 
reader, in a brief and popular form, a view of 
the principal events connected with the history, 
progress, and present condition of Michigan, 
condensed from the larger work prepared by the 
author under the sanction of a law of that State. 
Such a work, embracing a great variety of par- 
ticulars relating to the early settlement and sub- 
sequent growth of the West, would, it was 
thought, be both useful and interesting. The 
rapid advance of the'" vast territory bordering on 
the lakes in population and wealth, is the best 
commentary on the nature and effects of our free 
institutions, and offers a political phenomenon 
well worthy of being studied. 

For my facts I have relied principally upon 
Father Marquette, Hennepin, Joutel, La Hon- 
tan, Charlevoix, Rogers, Henry, Carver, M'Ken- 
zie, Bouchette, and M'Gregor, and have con- 
S'llted with particular care Mr. Bancroft's great 



X piiefa<:e. 

work, the " History of the Colonization of the 
United States." The discourses, also, which have 
from time to time been delivered before the 
Michigan Historical Society, by Cass, School- 
craft, Whiting, and Biddle, I found full of val- 
uable information. Nor must I omit to ac- 
knowledge the great obligations I am under to 
my friend Mr. Schoolcraft, for his kindness in 
permitting me to consult his library, which is 
especially rich in everything relating to the 
West, as freely as if it had been my own. Be- 
sides these means of information, a residence in 
the interior of the state for a considerable period 
has afforded me a knowledge of its actual con- 
dition, which could not, perhaps, have been ob- 
tained in any other w^ay. 

If in this work, prepared during the intervals 
of professional labour, I shall have succeeded in 
presenting an impartial history of this interesting 
State, and in a manner to entertain and instruct 
the intelligent reader, my object will have been 
fully accomplished. 

J. II. L. 

New-York, August I8lh, 1841. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

General Description of the State.— Soil— Minerals,— Streams 
—Interior Lakes.— The Great Lakes.— Origin of their Names, 
— Wild Animals,— Birds.— Fish.— Counties . . Page 15 

CHAPTER II. 

First Advance of the Missionaries to the Lakes.— BrebcEuf — 
Daniel —Pij art -Charles Raymbault,— First bark Canoe of 
white Men reaches St. Mary,— Father Jaques— Bressani— 
Chaumonotot— Claude Dablon— Mesnard— Lallemand— Ga 
brieile Dreuillette, and Leonard Gareau. — Rene Mesnard ad- 
vances to Che-goi-me-gon,— Father Claude Allouez.— Father 
James Marquette, — Indian Council held at the Falls of St. 
Mary.— Marquette's Explorations, — His Death.— Robert de la 
Salle, — His Explorations. — Michilimackinac founded. — Death 
of La Salle.— Sault de Ste, xMarie,— Fort St, Joseph.— Detroit 
founded,— Its early Condition, — Attacked by the Ottawas. — 
By the Foxes.— Early French Travellers through the Lakes 

32 

CHAPTER III. 

O!olonial Emigrants. — Merchants.— Coureurs des Bois. — The 
Peasantry. — French Soldiers. — Legal Administration, — Pol- 
icy of the French Government. — Indian Mythology of the 
Lakes. — Mode of Land Distribution,— Increase of Coloniza- 
tion. — The Fur-trade of the Lakes. — Canadian Boat-songs. 
- -La Hontan's Account of the Fur-trade . . .78 



XU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Struggle between France and England for the Possession ol 
the Country. — The Iroquois and A Igonquins.— British Troops 
advance into Canada.— Battle of Quebec— Death of Wolfe 
and Montcalm.— British Detachment under Rogers takes 
Possession of Michigan.— Rogers traverses Lake Erie.— Pon- 
tiac makes his first Appearance.— Bellestre. — Surrender of 
Detroit Page 96 

CHAPTER V. 

Condition of the Territory under the English— Pontiac forms a 
Confederacy to attack the English Posts. — War breaks out. 
— Siege of Detroit. — Battle of Bloody Bridge. — Indians as« 
semble around Michilimackinac— Minavavana — Alexander 
Henry — Wawatam.— Michilimackinac destroyed. — General 
Bradstreet arrives. — Peace concluded. — Death of Pontiac 118 

CHAPTER VI. 

Condition of the Fur-trade under the English.— Hudson's Bay 
Company. — English Administration of the Law. — CrimmaJ 
Trial.— Quebec Act. — Mineral Rock on Lake Superior. — 
Northwest Company.— American Revolution. — Expeditions 
from Detroit.— Indian Council held at Detroit. — American 
Independence established 145 

CHAPTER VII. 

Northwestern Territory organized. — Arthur St. Clair appointed 
Governor. — English refuse to surrender the Posts.— Indian 
Disaffection.— Indian Council at Detroit.— Message from the 
Spanish Settlements on the Banks of the Mississippi. — Cam- 
paign of General Harmar.— Campaign of General St. Clair.— 
Campaign of General Wayne.— Extension of French Settle- 
ments.— Michigan surrendered to the United States.— condi- 
tion of the Territory in connexion with the Fur-trade.— Cur- 
rency employed in the Fur-trade . .163 



CONTENTS. Xm 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Condition of Michigan after the Surrender of the Posts.— Its 
Erection into a Territory. — General Hull appointed Governor. 
— Detroit destroyed by Fire.— Administration of the Law.— 
Third Indian Confederacy under Tecumseh and the Prophet. 
— Le Marquoit. — Land-office established. — Walk-in-the- Wa- 
ter.— Population in 1811. — Memorial from Michigan praying 
Aid from the General Government. — Savage Outbreak. — Op- 
erations on the Wabash.— American Fur Company Page 181 

CHAPTER IX. 

War declared between Great Britain and the United States. — 
Representations of Governor Hull. — Appointed to Command 
the Western Army. — Crosses to Sandwich and Addresses 
the Canadians.— Pohcy of Prevost. — Surrender of Detroit.— 
Tecumseh. — Conduct of Hull. — Expedition to the River Rai- 
f in. — Capture of Chicago. — Battle of the River Raisin.— 
General Harrison's Campaign. — Commodore Perry — His 
Victory on Lake Erie.— General Harrison arrives at Maiden. 
— Marches to Detroit. — Battle of the Thames. — Death of 
Tecumseh.— His Character. — Attack on Mackinaw. — Peace 
Concluded ... 197 

CHAPTER X. 

Lewis Cass appointed Governor of the Territory. — Its Condition 
at that Time. — Public Lands brought into Market. — First 
Steamboat on the Lakes. — University Founded.— Expedition 
to Explore the Lakes.— The Clinton Canal.— Mr. Porter ap- 
pointed Governor. — Mode of making Surveys. — Controversy 
with Ohio. — Mr. Mfson elected Governor. — State Organized. 
—Internal Improvements.— Education.— Conclusion . 228 



XIV CONTENTS. 



APPENDIX. 

First Colonization of Canada .... .Page 249 

Massacre of the Jesuits 252 

Early Grant at Detroit . , 253 

Early Land Trespass 257 

Treaty of Greenville 258 

General Hull's Proclamation 267 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER I. 



General Description of the State. — Soil. — Minerals. — Streams. 
— Interior Lakes. — The Great Lakes. — Origin of their Names. 
— Wild Ammals. — Birds. — Fish. — Counties. 

The State of Michigan derives its name, it is 
said, from the Indian words Mitchi-smogyegajif 
which mean, in English, a great lake, a term which 
has been given to the territory from the position 
it occupies. It is bounded on the north by Lake 
Superior, on the south by Ohio and Indiana, on the 
east by Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Hu- 
ron, and on the west by Lake Michigan, all of 
which lakes pour their accumulated waters down 
the Falls of Niagara. The extent of its domain 
is believed to be about sixty-five thousand square 
miles. 

Along the shores of Lake Erie there stretches a 

belt of level and heavily-timbered land, bearing a 

growth of large and noble forest-trees upon a low 

and level soil. The land gradually rises towards 

B 



16 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the centre of the state, presenting a variegated 
scenery composed of tracts of dense wilderness, 
alternated with prairies, natural parks, or oak 
openings, copses of burr-oak, marshes, barrens, 
and pine groves, each watered by small streams, 
lakes, or springs. That part of the state which 
borders Lake Superior is more bold and primitive, 
and is broken by mountains and plains, hills and 
valleys. The Porcupine Mountains, which are the 
dividing ridge, and separate the waters of Lake 
Superior and Lake Michigan, are estimated at their 
most elevated point to be nearly two thousand feet 
high. Many parts exhibit a bold, rocky, and steril 
prospect, which caused one of the early French 
travellers. La Hontan, to call this region " the fag- 
end of the world." It abounds with forests of 
white and yellow pine, and will probably never be 
favourable for agricultural production, although it 
is a rich mineral region. The northwestern por- 
tion of the state is impressed with still more sub- 
lime features of natural scenery, comprising mass- 
es of stupendous rocks and rugged mountain 
chains ; the northern part of the lower peninsula 
is flat, containing many swamps ; the central por- 
tion is gently rolling, covered with groves of oak, 
alternated with tracts of heavily-timbered land, is 
pecuharly favourable for the production of wheat, 
which is its staple product, and presents the most 



SOIL. 17 

picturesqu« points of scenery, and resources for 
the most dense population. 

The soil of Michigan is varrious in its character. 
It is in general much more level than that of New. 
York and New. England, being of alluvial forma- 
tion, and comparatively free from rocks. The dif- 
ferent species of soil consist of heavily-timbered 
land, oak openings, burr-oak plains, prairies, and 
pine groves, each of which will be considered. 

The heavily-Umbered land consists of tracts 
which are densely wooded with a variety of large 
forest-trees, the principal of which are the black 
and white walnut, oaks of different species, maple, 
ash, elm, linden, sycamore, hackberry, cottonwood, 
aspen, locust, butternut, box or dogwood, poplar, 
whitewood, beech, cherry, sassafras, white, yellow, 
and Norway pine, hemlock, spruce, tamerack, ce- 
dar, cypress, chestnut, and pawpaw ; as well as the 
smaller trees and shrubs, such as willow, alder, 
sumach, and honeysuckle, together with the dif- 
ferent kinds of undergrowth which are found in 
the Middle and Southern States. This timbered 
land is often found upon the borders of the streams, 
upon what are called hottoms, and also upon the 
ridges which border them. It is discovered along 
the shores of the lakes from Monroe to Detroit, 
and thence to Lake Michigan, in a belt varying 
from five to fifteen miles in breadth. But a small 



18 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

proportion of the peninsular part of the state is, 
however, densely wooded. 

There are various other species of soil which 
constitute a beautiful variety, and vviiich will be 
described in their proper order. The soil which 
is heavily timbered is generally composed of a 
deep vegetable mould, sometimes mingled with 
clay, and produces a dense and luxuriant vegeta- 
tion. Compared with the other sections of the 
state, it is gloomy, being generally more low and 
level, and it is more difficult to. clear from the 
thick and tangled mass of trees which covers it ; 
but these disadvantages are made up by its fertility, 
and it yields in great abundance the grasses, oats, 
buckwheat, potatoes, rye, and large crops of corn. 
Perhaps it is not so favourable to wheat, being 
damp, from the fact that it is shut out from the 
sun, and also cold in its nature. 

In advancing into the interior of the state, across 
the narrow belt before described, we arrive upon 
a more dry and undulating soil — a species of 
land vvhich swells into little hills like artificial 
mounds, and is called oak openings. This land 
is composed of a sandy loam, mingled sometimes 
with limestone pebbles, and appears light upon the 
surface, but, when laid open by the plough, turns 
black from the intermixture of lime in its com- 
position. The trees, consisting chiefly of white- 



SOIL. 19 

oak, scattered over the ground generally from 
ten to sixty feet apart, and extending for miles 
like cultivated parks, now sweeping down to a 
clear stream, a fertile prairie, or the brow of a 
transparent lake, impress one with the idea that he 
is traveUing through an old, rather than a newly- 
settled country. These openings constitute a fea- 
ture which distinguishes this from most of the ad- 
joining states. The land, although not as produc- 
tive as some other kinds of soil, yields heavy crops 
of oats and abundant harvests of wheat, besides the 
ordinary products of the Middle States. Although 
containing apparently but a thin covering of decom- 
posed vegetable matter, the absence of that mate- 
rial is made up by the admixture of lime in its com 
position, which is favourable to vegetation ; and ir» 
summer the surface is almost entirely covered with 
red, yellow, white, and purple flowers, which, in their 
richness and beauty, are not known in the older- 
•^ettled portions of the country, spreading a gorgeous 
carpet through the forest as far as the eye can 
reach. The surface of the oak openings ako pre- 
sents a turf of matted grass, which requires three 
or four yoke of oxen to break it up ; and, us you 
can ride for miles in a carriage under the trees 
that are thus v/idely separated, it does not need so 
great an amount of .abour in clearing it as the 
timbered land. The trees, however, are usually 



20 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

girdled in order to effect their decay. These oak 
openings extend throughout the greater part of the 
lower peninsula. 

Another species of soil of very great value is 
found in the state, commencing at the county of 
Jackson and studding the timbered land and oak 
openings from the head of the Kalamazoo River to 
the shores of Lake JMichigan. It is called hurr-oak 
plains or openings ; a soil which consists of tracts 
spread over with groves of trees of a small size, 
called the burr-oak, with a rough bark and deep 
green foliage. They closely resemble cultivated 
orchards of pear-trees, springing from a soil which 
is composed of a brown loam mingled with clay ; 
yet they arc highly productive, and are deemed by 
the settlers of the greatest value, yielding in abun- 
dance the crops of the Middle States, corn, oats, po- 
tatoes, buckwheat, rye, and all the products of the 
other kinds of soil. As the trees,' like those of the 
white-oak openings, are widely separated, this land 
requires but little clearing ; but four or five yoke 
of oxen are generally used to break it up for seed- 
ing. Corn to the amount of forty, and sometimes 
eighty bushels to the acre, is produced from these 
openings, and from forty to fifty bushels of oats. 
Thirty bushels of wheat to the acre are also fre- 
quently obtained from this land ; but the average 
amount may be placed at about twenty-five bushels. 



SOIL. 21 

Scattered through the south and southwestern 
part, particularly upon the borders of the Kalama* 
zoo, the Grand, and St. Joseph Rivers, are what 
are called prairies. These consist of a soil desti- 
tiite of trees, and covered with a deep surface of 
black sand and vegetable mould. It is more pro- 
ductive than any other species, yielding very large 
crops of corn and potatoes, as well as wheat, which 
is, however, apt not to be as clean as that on the 
openings. All other crops that are produced in this 
climate it yields in great profusion. These prai- 
ries throughout the state are comparatively small, 
but in Illinois they stretch out beyond the horizon 
like a sea. Being comparatively easy to cultivate, 
and producing so abundantly, they are always se- 
lected by the farmers before any other kind of 
soil. The dry prairies on the banks of the Kala- 
mazoo and St. Joseph Rivers furnish a soil equal 
to any other in the West, and frequently from 
thirty to fifty bushels of corn have been raised 
upon them the first season, without being ploughed 
or hoed ; and when the mould has been once sub- 
dued, from thirty to eighty bushels of corn, or forty 
of wheat, have been obtained to the acre ; they 
are also very favourable for grass. 

Another species of soil found in the state is 
called wet prairies or marshes, tracts which are 
generally in part or in whole covered with water ; 



22 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

and they produce a long and coarse grass that is 
very favourable for winter stock, and make a fine 
ranging ground for horses and cattle in the spring. 
"When drained, these wet prairies may be converted 
into valuable meadow land. 

Another species of soil that we meet with in the 
interior is termed barrens. They consist of tracts 
which are sparsely scattered over with stunted oaks 
or bushes, that would seem to indicate that the 
land is not favourable to vegetation. It is found, 
however, that by cultivation it produces well. 

The kind of soil which is called swamp or marsh 
land is found in considerable tracts in the greater 
part of the state. It is in winter covered with wa- 
ter, and has a deep mire, which is dangerous to 
the traveller, and is sprinkled here and there with 
a few scattering trees or groves of tamerack, which 
resemble pine. In many cases these marshes are 
caused by beaver. dams. 

The mineral productions of the state are va. 
rious, and some of considerable value. Although 
the soil of the lower peninsula is, as has been before 
remarked, of alluvial formation, yet there are oc- 
casionally seen ledges of sandstone, which abounds 
in parts of the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Cal- 
houn, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Ingham, Eaton, Bar- 
ry, Shiawassee, Clinton, and other portions of the 
state. Gray limestone is also found ; and on the 



MINERALS. 23 

immediate shore of Lake Huron a greenish-colour- 
ed clay slate has been discovered. Indications of 
coal are apparent in the counties of Eaton, Ingham, 
and Shiawassee. On the banks of the Grand River, 
near the Grand Rapids, beds of gypsum or plaster 
occur, which will be of considerable importance. 
Salt-springs, which can be used for the manufac- 
ture of salt, are scattered throughout a considera- 
ble portion of the interior ; and clay, sand, marl, bog 
iron ore, with other kinds, and springs tinctured with 
mineral quahties, especially sulphur, have been dis- 
covered in the eastern part of the peninsula, that 
may be of advantage for medicinal purposes. 

Along the shores of Lake Superior, which are 
rich in mineral wealth, there are evidences of pure 
copper, and a large mass of that metal, near the 
mouth of the Ontonagon River, of many thousand 
pounds' weight, has excited the interest of travellers 
from the earliest period. Among the rocks on this 
part of the coast are also scattered prase, jaspar, 
carnelian, agate, sardonyx, and other rare stones 
of some value. 

The greater part of the state is also well water- 
ed by numerous rivers and small streams, which 
variegate the landscape, and flow into the surround- 
ing lakes. The principal of these are the Raisin, 
Grand River, the Kalamazoo, the St. Joseph, the 
Huron, the Chnton, the Saginaw, and the Ontona- 



24 STATE OF MICHIGAN. 

gon. The Detroit, the St. Clair, and tlie St. Ma- 
ry's cannot be properly called rivers, as they are 
only straits which connect the lakes in the east- 
ern and more level portions. Upon the eastern 
border of the state the rivers are sluggish, but, as 
you advance into the interior, they become more 
clear and rapid. The St. Joseph is a transparent 
and beautiful, though shallow stream, which mean- 
ders through the western part of the state over 
a bed of limestone rock and pebbles, and, water- 
ing counties of great fertility, consisting of oak 
lands and prairies, flows into Lake Michigan. 
The Kalamazoo is also a clear but narrow river, 
that runs over a surface of sand, limestone rock, or 
pebbles, and, watering extensive and productive 
tracts of the state, empties into the same lake. 
The Grand River is the largest stream in the in- 
terior, and, after furnishing a convenient channel 
for navigation and large manufacturing advanta- 
ges, empties into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. 
There arc various other streams of less import- 
ance, which furnish sites for manufacturing es- 
tablishments, and eligible points for settlement on 
their banks. 

Another pecuhar point in the scenery is the lit- 
tic lakes which are scattered over the soil. These 
arc clear, and abound with fish ; and in summer, 
when the vegetation upon their banks is in full 



RIVERS AND LAKES. 25 

bloom, appear like mirrors, where Nature, dressed 
in green and flowery robes, may admire her own 
beauty amid the soUtude. 

But the most prominent feature of the state is 
tlie great lakes which wash its shores. These 
r.onstitute much the largest body of fresh water on 
the face of the globe. To the eye they appear like 
oceans, and water the borders of the forest for 
thousands of miles, from the state of New-York to 
the regions of Canada lying along the shores of 
Lake Superior, which are now ranged only by 
tribes of Indians and fur traders. Their surges 
roll like those of the sea, and the mariner obliged 
to navigate them often encounters as dangerous 
storms as upon the ocean. Their waters, how- 
ever, are not, like those of the open sea, of a blue 
colour, but have a tinge of green, from the fact 
that they are fresh. They were formerly explo- 
red only by the bark canoes of the Indians, and 
were the theatre of the fur trade, which will be 
described hereafter ; but, with the exception of 
Lake Superior, they are now crossed by steamboats 
of large tonnage, as well as vessels and ships of all 
sizes. 

The origin of the names of the great lakes is 
not wanting in interest. Lake Ontario was for- 
merly called Lake Frontenac, while that of Erie 
is derived from a nation of Erries, who roamed 



26 STATE OF Ml« .IGAN. 

along the northern borders of Ohio, and were de. 
stroyed by the Iroquois, Lake Huron was termed 
Karegnondi, and also Lake of Orleans. Lake 
Michigan was called Lake Michigonong, and also 
Lake of Puans and Illinese, and Lake of the Dau- 
phin. Lake St. Clair was named by La Salle's 
expedition, from the day on which he entered the 
river. The length of Lake Superior is estimated 
at five hundred miles, and its breadth at one hun- 
dred and ninety. This lake is as clear as crystal, 
and the polished stones upon the bottom, as well as 
numerous shoals of fish, can be seen at a great 
depth. Lake Michigan is believed to be three 
hundred and thirty miles long, and sixty miles 
broad. Lake Huron is two hundred and sixty 
miles long, and, coastwise, three hundred and six- 
ty ; its breadth is one hundred and sixty miles. 
Lake Erie is two hundred and eighty miles long, 
and its widest part is about sixty-three miles. 
Lake St. Clair is thirty miles long and twenty, 
eight miles broad. It is thus seen that this chain 
of lakes must furnish an important channel of nav- 
igation in the future commerce of the country. 

The wild animals of this as well as the other 
portions of the Northwest are various. The mam- 
moth or mastodon once roamed through its forests, 
and its skeletons are now found below the surface. 
Herds of buffaloes roved over the prairies upon the 



ANIMALS. 27 

borders of Lake Erie as lc.te as 1720, and we have 
a full account of that fact from the early French trav- 
ellers ; but these have been driven, by the progress 
of emigration, to the plains which sweep along the 
base of the Rocky Mountains. The elk and moose 
and troops of deer formerly fed on the green herb- 
age upon the banks of the Detroit ; but these have 
now retired to the more unsettled portions of the 
state. The wolverine, the black or brown bear, 
the wolf, the elk, the deer, moose, lynx, wild-cat, 
panther, fox,^ marten, raccoon, porcupine, opossum, 
weasel, polecat, gopher, the black, red, gray, and 
striped squirrel, marmot or woodchuck, rabbit, 
hare, and various other species of animals, are now 
found in the interior. The beaver, the otter, the 
muskrat, and the mink inhabit the rivers and small 
streams, and furnished a valuable article of com- 
merce during the early French, English, and Amer- 
ican fur trade. Of birds, the robin, the black- 
bird, the thrush, the lark, the bluebird, different 
species of the sparrow, the wren, the woodpecker, 
the brant, and the loon, the jay, and the cuckoo, 
are the most common. The forests shelter flocks 
of the wild turkey and the partridge. The grouse 
or prairie-hen swarms in the prairies. Pigeons 
appear in large flocks at particular seasons of the 
year, and the snipe and the white partridge are 
not uncommon. The eagle, the brant, the buzzard, 



28 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

and others of the vulture kind, the crow, the raven, 
the heron, and owls of different species, the most 
distinguished of which is the great white owl, are 
among its carnivorous birds. The streams and 
lakes abound with numerous species of wild ducks, 
of various and beautiful plumage. They fly in 
large flocks along the shores of the lakes, and feed 
in the marshes v/hich fringe them, sometimes black- 
ening the surface by their numbers. The swan 
may sometimes be seen floating upon the waters ; 
and flocks of wild geese, in the season of summer, 
collect around the small interior lakes after their 
winter migrations, where they obtain their food 
from the wild rice, which is the peculiar product 
of this region. 

The rivers, interior lakes, and surrounding wa- 
ters of the country abound with fish. These are 
of various species and of delicious kinds. In the 
strait of St. Mary and Lake Superior they are of a 
more valuable sort, from the fact that the water of 
the latter lake is clear and very cold. The quan- 
tity in the last-named lake is very great. The 
sisquoelle and muckaw, which are not found in 
other portions of the lake waters, are seen in great 
abundance in Lake Superior. They sometimes 
grow to the weight of eight or ten pounds. 

The principal fish which are found in the sur- 
rounding lakes and interior waters of the country 



FISH. 29 

are the sturgeon, white fish, Mackinaw trout, sal- 
mon trout, muskalunjeh, pickerel, pike, perch, her- 
ring, the rock bass, the white and black bass, catfish, 
pout, lamprey eel, bullhead, roach, sunfish, dace, 
sucker, carp, mullet, billfish, swordfish, buUfish, 
stone-carrier, sheep's-head, the gar, and many oth. 
er kinds. The muskalunjeh, Mackinaw trout, and 
whitefish are deemed most valuable. The former 
is sometimes caught weighing forty pounds. The 
Mackinaw trout resembles in lustre and appear- 
ance the salmon. The whitefish, a very delicious 
fish, is similar to the shad, with brighter scales, 
which appear like burnished silver. This fish has 
been celebrated by the French travellers from the 
earliest period, and Charlevoix, who travelled 
through this region in 1720, once declared that 
" nothing of the fish kind could excel it." Great 
numbers of trout and whitefish are taken upon the 
lakes and shipped to Ohio, New- York, and Penn- 
sylvania, besides those which are consumed in the 
state. 

The nortnern part of the lower peninsula of iVIich- 
igan, bordering on Lake Huron, has not yet been 
thoroughly surveyed and brought into market. The 
soil of this section of the state is not so favourable 
for agriculture as that of the southern portion. It 
is more wet and marshy, abounds with pine, and is 
broken by sandhills and swamps. It has been re- 



30 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

marked that the portion of the state bordering on 
Lake Superior is broken and rocky ; and, ahhough 
containing some elevated table-lands which may be 
adapted to cultivation, it may be considered unfa- 
vourable to agriculture. It has, however, been as- 
certained to be a rich mineral region. The most 
settled portion of the state has been organized into 
counties, as the advance of population has required. 
From the brief view which has been taken of 
the productions of the soil, it is clearly perceived 
that it affords a variety of resources. The low and 
densely-wooded land upon the immediate shore of 
the lower lakes, where the streams run sluggishly 
over beds of clay, is strikingly contrasted with the 
more rolling character of the oak lands, extending 
from this belt towards the centre, dotted as they 
are by natural ponds of pure water, and coursed 
by more rapid streams, which have their beds upon 
sand or gravel ; and these in turn are entirely dis- 
tinct from the more primitive, rocky, and rugged 
portion lying in that part of the upper peninsula bor- 
dering on the shores of Lake Superior. Exhibit- 
ing different degrees of fertility, the southern part, 
from its undulating character and its clear streams, 
affords a greater inducement for present settle- 
ment than the level strip to which allusion has 
been made, or the more primitive and rocky region 
of the north. It happens, accordingly, that erai- 



PRODUCTIONS. 31 

gration has in a great measure crossed this strip 
and sought the more rolling country, leaving the 
marshes and the mouths of the streams which flow 
into the eastern side ; a section of the territory 
which is not only at present unfavourable to set- 
tlement from the configuration of the land, but 
from the fact that it is productive of the class of 
bilious disorders that prevails in the greater por- 
tion of our new country. 




32 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER II. 

First Advance of the Missionaries to the Lakes.— Breboeuf— 
Daniel — Pijart— Charles Raynibault.— First bark Canoe of 
white Men reaches St, Mary.— Father Jaques— Bressaui— 
Chaumonotot — Claude Dablon — Mesnard — Lallemand— Ga- 
brielle Dreuillette, and Leonard Gareau.— Rene Mesnard ad- 
vances to Che-goi-me-gon.— Father Claude Allouez.— Father 
James Marquette.— Indian Council held at the Falls of St 
Mary.— Marquette's Explorations.- HisDeath.— Robert de la 
Salle. — His Explorations.- Michilimackinac founded.— Death 
of La Salle.— Sault de Ste. Marie.— Fort St. Joseph.— Detroit 
founded. — Its early Condition. — Attacked by the Ottawas. — 
By the Foxes.— Early French Travellers through the Lakes, 

The wide region stretching away in a lu.xuriant 
expanse of forest, river, and prairie, from the shores 
of the great lakes westward to the banks of the 
Mississippi, was first explored and colonized by the 
French. That portion of the French territory 
now comprised in the Canadas, the original point 
of French settlement, was long the centre of its 
trade, commerce, and religion ; yet the government 
claimed the country, both by right of discovery and 
appropriation, that extended far beyond the bound- 
aries of their actual colonization. Nor were the 
settlers who had established themselves upon the 
banks of the St. Lawrence at any time wanting in 
zeal and enterprise in extending their explorations. 



EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUITS. 33 

ir. was early the avowed object of that government 
to carry the cross of the Catholic Church to the 
remotest bounds of the Western territory, and thus 
to secure the advantages of its great resources. 
The principal directors of the ecclesiastical estab- 
lishments that were collected at Quebec, found it 
their policy to become informed of the condition of 
the domain upon the great lakes ; and as early as 
1634, the Jesuits Brebceuf and Daniel joined a par- 
ty of Hurons who were i^eturning from that wall- 
ed city, and, passing through the Ottawa River, 
raised the first hut of the Society of Jesus upon the 
shore of LaJ^c Iroquois, a bay of Lake Huron, 
where they daily rang a bell to call the savages 
to prayer, and performed all those kind offices 
which were calculated to secure the confidence and 
affection of the tribes on the lake shores. In order 
to confirm the missions, a college was founded in 
Quebec during the following year ; and a hospital 
was established at the same place for the unfortu- 
nate of every class, both civilized and savage. 
Three nuns of Dieppe, in France, were selected to 
advance into the Canadian wilderness in 1639 ; an 
Ursuline convent, for the education of girls, was 
also erected ; and at Silleri a small band of the 
Hurons was trained to the civilization and faith 
of the French, for the purpose of spreading the 
religion and influence of their colonies through 



34 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the Western wilderness.* A plan for the estab- 
lishment of missions, not only among the Algon- 
quins of the North, but also south of Lake Huron 
and in Michigan, was formed, indeed, within six 
years after the discovery of Canada. 

The French were at this period excluded from 
the navigation of Lake Ontario by the hostility of 
the Mohawks, and their canoes had never ruffled 
the waters of Lake Erie. The Ottawa, in conse- 
quence, was the only avenue to the West ; and in 
1641 Pijart and Charles Raymbault were found 
roaming as missionaries among the tribes of Lake 
Nipissing. 

In September, 1641, the firfit bark canoe, laden 
with French Jesuits, was padd'/jd through the Ot- 
tawa River for the Falls of St. Mary, and, passing 
by the islands of Lake Hurono they reached these 
falls after a navigation of seventeen days. At 
this place they found a large collection of Indians 
from the neighbouring tribes, many of whom had 
never seen civilized men, and had never heard of 
the true God. The white men were invited to 
dwell among them ; for, said the savages, " We 
will embrace you as brothers ; we will derive profit 
from your words." Raymbault, the first mission- 
ary to the tribes of Michigan, feeble with consump- 
tion, during the next year returned to Quebec 

* Bancroft. 



EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUITS. 35 

Thus the French at this early period had advanced 
their missionary posts beyond the shores of Lake 
Huron and to the outlet of Lake Superior. Father 
Jaques and Bressani, Jean de Breboeuf, Chaumon- 
otot, Claude Dablon, Mesnard, and others, while 
carrying the cross through the forests of the North- 
west, were not to be impeded by tortures and burn- 
ings, nor death even, from their darling projects. 
They toiled and suffered, were struck down with the 
tomahawk ; they lived the life of beggars, and died 
the death of martyrs ; were covered with burning 
bark, and scalded with boiling water, and scarred 
with hot iron, until the gentle Lallemand cried 
out amid his tortures, " We are made a spectacle 
unto the world, and to angels, and to men :" but 
with the zeal of ancient martyrdom the Jesuits 
pressed on from the strongholds of Quebec, filling 
the ranks of the dead as one after another fell, ad- 
vancing to the remote boundaries of the lake shores 
the cross and the lilies of the Bourbons. 

During the month of August, 1654, two young 
fur-traders having joined a band of the Ottawas or 
Algonquins, in their bark canoes, upon an explora- 
tion of five hundred leagues, reappeared after two 
years before St. Louis with a fleet of fifty canoes. 
Describing the territory stretching a: : und the great 
lakes in glowing colours, and the savage hordes 
which were then scattered through the forests, they 



36 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

sought to effect a wider extension (ff French com- 
merce into that region. Their request was grant- 
ed ; and in 1656, Gabrielle Dreuillette and Leonard 
Gareau, former missionaries among the Hurons, 
were selected for the mission ; but just below Mon- 
treal a band of Mohawks attacked their fleet, Gra- 
reau was mortally wounded, and the expedition 
prevented. The traders of the lakes, seeking the 
furs which abounded in those forests, and backed 
by the Western Indians, who desired a league by 
which they might resist the Iroquois, soon advan- 
ced to Green Bay, and in 1659 two of them passed 
the winter on the shores of Lake Superior. Du- 
ring the following year they returned to Quebec, 
escorted by sixty canoes, laden with peltry, and 
paddled by three hundred Algonquins. 

The zeal of Francis de Laval, the bishop of 
Quebec, appears to have been kindled, by their ac- 
counts of the country, with a desire to enter upon 
the mission, but to Rene Mesnard was allotted 
this task, so full of hazard. Charged with the duty 
of exploring the territory around Green Bay and 
Lake Superior, and of establishing at some con- 
venient point a place for the general assembly of 
the neighbouring tribes, this aged man, in Au- 
gust, 1660, with but few preparations, departed on 
his mission, trusting, to use his own words, "in 
the Provide ce which feeds the little birds of the 



EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUITS. 37 

desert, and clothes the wild flowers of the forest." 
During the month of October he reached a bay on 
the south shore of Lake Superior, which he named 
St. Theresa ; writing to a friend, " in three or four 
months you may add me to the memento of deaths." 
After a residence there of eight months, in the year 
1661, he complied with the invitation of the Hu- 
rons, who had taken refuge in the isle of St. Mi 
chael, and, leaving his converts, advanced with one 
attendant to the Bay of Che-goi-me-gon. Lost in 
the forest, he was never afterward seen ; and 
among the amulets of the Sioux were discovered 
his breviary and cassock.* 

But the rude missionary posts around the lakes 
struggled on, arid were in danger of falling, when 
the Canadian colonies were re-enforced in 1665 by 
a royal regiment, with Tracy as viceroy, Courcelles, 
a veteran officer, as governor, and Talon, a man 
of business and perseverance, as intendant, and 
the representative of the king in civil matters. 
French enterprise now pressed forward to the 
West with increased vigour, and in August, 1666 
Father Claude Allouez, following the old course 
of the Ottawa, on the first day of October reach- 
ed the principal village of the Chippewas in the 
Bay of Che-goi-me-gon. A chapel dedicated to 
the Holy Spirit soon arose amid the green luxu- 
* Bancroft. 



38 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

riance of the forest, and the passions of the rough 
tribes were subdued by paintings which the mis- 
sionary displayed of the horrors of hell and the 
terrors of the final judgment. The dwellers around 
St. Mary flocked to his station ; the Hurons and Ot- 
tawas, upon the deserts north of Lake Superior, se- 
cured his presence at their wigwams ; and the Pot- 
towatomies, from the borders of Lake Michigan, in- 
vited him to their homes, while the Sacs and Fox- 
es travelled from their villages, and the Illinois came 
to gather counsel and to describe the beauties of 
their quiet river. The Sioux, also, from the west 
of Lake Superior, in a land of prairies, living on 
wild rice and in skin-covered cabins, welcomed the 
stranger. After residing for nearly two years 
upon the southern margin of Lake Superior, in Au- 
gust of 1667 he returned to Quebec, and urged tho 
establishment of permanent missions, to be accom- 
panied by colonies of French emigrants upon the 
lakes ; but in two days after reaching that post, with 
another priest, Louis Nicholas, he returned to the 
mission of Che-goi-me-gon. 

The condition of Canada at that time was fa- 
vourable to the progress of the missions of this 
portion of the West. The monopoly of the West 
India Company, organized for the purpose of pros* 
ecuting the fur-trade, had been yielded up. Peace 
was enjoyed, and a new recruit of missionaries 



EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUITS. 39 

had arrived from France. Aided by such advanta- 
ges, AUouez, Claude Dablon, and James Marquette 
in 1668 repaired to the Chippewas and established 
the mission of St. Mary, the first settlement com- 
menced by Europeans within the boundaries of 
Michigan. During the following years these mis- 
sionaries were employed in strengthening the powcT 
of France over the possessions which she claimed, 
from Green Bay to the head of Lake Superior, and 
in collecting information respecting the region ex- 
tending towards the Mississippi. They resolved 
the following year to attempt its exploration, and 
selected as a companion a young Illinois, for the 
purpose of becoming acquainted with the dialect of 
that tribe. 

The commerce of the fur-trade between the 
Algonquins and the French secured the protection 
of their tribes and their deep attachment, while a 
desire of strengthening the power of France over 
the Western territory pervaded the mind of Louis 
of France, and Colbert his minister. Talon, the in- 
tendant-general, moreover, desired to advance the 
same object, and for this purpose despatched his 
agent, Nicholas Perrot, in order to call a genera] 
congress of the lake tribes at the Falls of St. Mary. 
Procuring at Green Bay a guard of Pottowato- 
mies, he reached the settlement of the Miamis at 



40 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Chicago, the first of civilized men who had ever 
visited that point. 

The desired Congress of the Indian tribes con- 
vened at the Falls of St. Mary in May of 1671, 
was composed of prominent delegates from the 
head waters of the St. Lawrence, the Mississippi, 
the lakes, and even the Red River ; and of veteran 
officers from the armies of France, intermingled 
here and there with a Jesuit missionary. A cross 
having been raised, and also a cedar post marked 
with the French lilies, the representatives of the 
savage hordes were informed that they were under 
the protection of the French king. During that 
year Marquette gathered a branch of the Hurons 
at Point St. Ignace, upon the continent north of the 
peninsula of Michigan, an establishment that was 
long a convenient resting-place for the savages and 
the fur- trade. 

In 1672, Allouez and Dablon, who were the ac- 
tive agents of the French government in carrying 
the cross through the eastern part of Wisconsin 
and the north of Illinois, seeking by mild means to 
secure the good offices of the Kickapoos upon the 
Milwaukie and of the Miamis of Lake Michigan, ex. 
plored the countries to the south of the village that 
had been thus founded by Marquette, and had even 
extended their explorations to the tribes of the 
Foxes, then scattered along the banks of tlie Fox 



EXPLORATION OF MARQUETTE. 41 

River. But the power of the French in this quar. 
ter was mainly confined to the immediate shores 
of the lakes and their connecting waters. Beyond 
these was a river flowing thousands of miles into 
the sea, which had never been traced to its outlet, 
of which Allouez had reported the name to be 
Messipi, or the Great River. This stream, long 
the object of curious inquiry, was now to be sought, 
in order that the French power might be spread 
along its banks. 

Thus laboured Marquette, a solitary missionary 
upon the lakes, until 1673, when M. Talon, the in 
tendant-general of the colony, ambitious to close 
his career in that region with something of honour, 
despatched M. Joliet, a citizen of Quebec, to this 
man, and unfolded, at the same time, a project for 
the exploration of the country along the line of the 
Michisepee, or the Great River, to its mouth, which 
current reports declared flowed into a large sea.* 
Nor was Marquette unwilling to aid the enterprise. 
Upon the thirteenth of May, everything being 
ready, this adventurer, together with Joliet and five 
other Frenchmen, left Michilimackinac in two bark 
canoes, supplied with Indian corn and jerked meat, 
and commenced their voyage to the unknown 
country. They soon arrived at an Indian viU 
lage which was familiar to Marquette, and made 

* Marquette's Journal. 



42 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN 

known to the savages their plan. These savages, 
howe\er, seemed to be horror-struck at the bold- 
ness of the project to explore the great river. 
There were Indians in that quarter, they told the 
whites, who would destroy them ; monsters who 
would swallow up them and their canoes ; a demon 
who would ingulf all who ventured near his wa- 
tery and boiling domain, and heats that would 
parch them. " I thanked them for their good ad- 
vice," says Marquette, " but informed them I could 
not follow it, since the salvation of souls was at 
stake, for which I should be overjoyed to give my 
life." 

The navigators now passed through Green Bay, 
from the mud of which there arose, says the voya- 
ger, " mischievous vapours, which cause the most 
grand and perpetual thunders I ever heard." 
They entered the Fox River, and, dragging their ca- 
noes through the rapids, and cutting their feet with 
the stones, they soon arrived at a village where 
there lived together a band of the Miamis, Mas- 
coutens, and Kickapoos. Here they found a cross 
hung with skins, because the Great Spirit had giv- 
en to the Indians a successful chase. Father Al- 
louez had been here, and had taught them that the 
cross was the only visible emblem of the true re- 
ligion. This village was at that time the remote 
boundary of western exploration, and beyond it no 



EXPLORATION OF MARQUETTE. 43 

Frenchman had before gone. They were now 
journeying through a country before unknown to 
white men. On the 10th of July the adventurers 
left these savages amazed at the hardihood of the 
whites, and, aided by two guides, started for the 
stream, which was believed to run but three leagues 
distant from the Mississippi, and to flow into that 
river. The Indian guides, having conducted them 
to the portage without any mishap, left them 
" alone amid that unknown country, in the hand ol 
God." Advancing with prayers, they soon arrived 
at the Wisconsin, a stream abounding with sand- 
bars, but studded with islands and bordered by 
banks green with vegetation, and variegated by 
groves and pleasant slopes. Floating down the 
stream in their canoes, they arrived, on the 17th 
of June, at the Mississippi, " with joy," says Mar- 
quette, " that I cannot express."* 

The adventurers had now reached the main 
channel, which they were to explore to its mouth, 
and, after having admired the herds of buffalo and 
deer which roamed along its borders, and the swans 
which floated upon its surface, as well as some 
great fish which nearly dashed their canoes to 
atoms, they at length came to the footprints of 
human beings on the sand, and a trail leading to a 

* Early French Travellers in the West, in the North Amer 
lean Review. 



44 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

meadow. Leaving their canoes in charge of the 
crew, Joliet and Marquette now advanced towards 
what seemed to them an Indian village, sufficiently 
near to hear the voice of the savages. With pray- 
ers they made known their presence by a loud cry, 
and were soon received by an embassy of four old 
men, who presented them the pipe of peace, and 
informed them at the same time that they were in 
a village of the Illinois. The French voyagers 
were here entertained with a grand feast, accom- 
panied with much smoking. The feast consisted 
of four courses ; the first was of hominy, the sec- 
ond of fish, the third of dog, and the fourth of 
roasted buffalo. When the feast had been conclu- 
ded, they were marched through the town with 
much ceremony, and, having passed the night qui- 
etly, they were escorted by six hundred Indians to 
their canoes. The Illinois, says Marquette, were 
handsome, kindly, and effeminate. They used 
guns, and were feared by the savages of the South 
and West, where they made many prisoners, and 
sold them as slaves.* 

Having left the Illinois, the voyagers passed the 
rocks on which were painted the monsters of 
whose existence they had heard at Lake Michigan, 
and reached the mouth of the Missouri. Leav- 
ing the Missouri, they encountered the demon 
* Early French Travellers in the West. 



EXPLORATION OF MARQUETTE. 45 

against which they had been warned, that was no. 
thing more than a great rock in the stream, and 
soon arrived at the Ohio. From the Ohio, al. 
though somewhat troubled by the moschetoes, they 
passed in safety to the region of the Arkansas. 

At this place they were attacked by a crowd 
of warriors, and would have been overpowered 
had not Marquette presented the pipe of peace, 
which softened the rough savages ; for, says the 
Jesuit, " God touched their hearts." On the suc- 
ceeding day they proceeded on their way, and 
were feasted by the hospitable savages upon corn 
and dogmeat cooked in earthenware, the Indians 
being amiable and ceremonious, passing the dish 
from one to another. Here the voyagers de- 
termined to return to the North, as they were now 
confident of the place where the Mississippi was 
discharged, that being the principal object of the 
expedition. In consequence, they left Akamsca 
on the 17th of July, retracing their track ; and, 
amazed at the numbers of " grounds, meadows, 
v/oods, buffaloes, stags, deer, wildcats, bustards, 
swans, ducks, paroquets, and beavers" upon the 
Illinois River, they arrived at Green Bay in Sep- 
tember of that year, where they reported what they 
had seen. 

Father Marquette returned to the Illinois, and 
performed his clerical offices by their request un- 



46 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

til the year 1765. On the 18th of May, as he was 
passing through Lake Michigan in his canoes, he 
proposed to land at the mouth of a small stream 
running from the peninsula to perform mass, and 
retired a little distance to pray. Not returning, 
his men went in pursuit of him, and soon discov- 
ered the missionary, but he was dead ; and they 
made a grave and buried him in the sand, upon 
the western part of the peninsula of Michigan, on 
the borders of a stream which now bears his name, 
and where the place of his interment was recently 
to be seen. Thus passed away this quiet man in the 
wilderness, after a long life spent in doing good. 
Yet he left the impression of his virtues behind 
him, and his name the world has embalmed and 
will perpetuate. 

At length the enterprise of Robert de la Salle, 
a native of Normandy, in France, a young man of 
strong passions but great energy, entered upon a 
project which had for its object the perpetuation of 
the power of France by the permanent coloniza- 
tion of the West. La Salle was, according to 
Charlevoix, brought up among the Jesuits,* and, 
having lost his patrimony in France, and being of 
an adventurous and enterprising spirit, he turned 
his mind to the French colonies on this side of the 
Atlantic about the year 1670. Having arrived at 
* Charlevoix's LettP'-s. 



ROBERT DE LA SALLE. 47 

the Canadian port, he occupied himself with a proj- 
ect, popular in that day, connected with a short 
passage to China, and had already planned an ex- 
pedition across the great lakes to the banks of the 
Pacific when Father Marquette returned from the 
Mississippi. The highly-coloured views which this 
missionary gave of the country, and its extensive 
channels of interior communication westward, kin- 
dled the sanguine mind of La Salle, and induced 
him to redouble his exertions to carry out his 
object. With that view he resorted to M. de 
Frontenac, then the governor-general of Canada, 
and at once laid before him the dim but gigantic 
outline of his project, having for its end the exten- 
sion of the French power, by constructing a chain 
of fortifications at the most prominent points along 
the lakes and rivers of the West. The first step 
towards this favourite scheme was to rebuild Fort 
Frontenac, which lies on Lake Ontario, of stone, 
and the politic adventurer deemed this an impor- 
tant point to win the favour of the governor-gener- 
al, as that fort was called after his name. Fron- 
tenac entered warmly into his views. Behoving that 
the French power would be greatly strengthened 
by carrying out the design, he advised La Salle 
to apply directly to the King of France, and, to 
aid his application for royal patronage, he gave the 
adventurer letters to Seigneilay, who, as minister 
D 



48 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

of marine, had succeeded his father, the well-known 
Colbert. 

With glowing hopes, La Salle now resorted to 
the French king, and naa-de known his wants. His 
plan was approved by the minister, who received 
his letter, and he was invested with the title of chev- 
alier, and also with the seignory of Fort Fron- 
tenac, on the condition that he would rebuild it. 
From all the nobility of that country he received 
also assurances of full countenance and aid.* En- 
couraged by these assurances, La Salle, with his 
Hefutenant, Tonti, an Italian, and thirty men, sail- 
ed from Rochelle on the 14th of July, 1678, reach- 
ed Quebec on the 15th of September of the same 
year, and soon after proceeded to Fort Frontenac* 
Here he found labouring in the missionary cause 
Louis Hennepin, a friar of the Franciscan order, 
daring, vain, and determined, ambitious to reap the 
glory of discovery, and not too scrupulous as to 
the means. Hennepin had been appointed by his 
religious superiors acting missionary, to accom- 
pany the expedition of La Salle, and arrived at 
this point, in readiness to meet him, in October of 
1678. t 

The chevalier having no means to carry out his 
project, and being at that time somewhat involved 

* See Charlevoix's New-France. 
t Hnnnepin's New Discovery. 



LA salle's expedition. 49 

(n debt, was obliged to cast about for money to 
advance his enterprise. He commenced opera- 
tions, accordingly, by sending forward a party of 
his men along the shores of the lakes to collect 
skins, from which he might accumulate something 
to pay his winter expenses ; for he had an exclu- 
sive right from the French monarch to trade in 
that region. The advantages of this course were 
twofold : for, while the' Frenchmen whom he should 
despatch were collecting the furs, they could, at the 
same time, prepare the minds of the Indians for his 
coming. In the first place, it was made a part of 
his duty to alter and repair Fort Frontenac ; Lake 
Ontario was to be navigated ; a fort was to be 
built on Lake Erie, and a bark of extraordinary 
size for those inland seas was to be constructed. 
All these duties devolved upon himself; and, with 
the small funds which he had to accomplish them, 
they would, to a man of moderate soul, have ap- 
peared formidable. But to the stout heart of the 
French cavalier they were as nothing ; for his per- 
severance was unconquerable ; and his ambition 
looked forward to the time when his name should 
be covered with glory as the benefactor of France, 
and the Columbus of its colonies in the West. 

Having despatched his men for the objects which 
have been mentioned, La Salle embarked upon 
Lake Ontario, with his followers, on the 18th of 



50 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

November, 1678, in a little vessel of ten tons, 
" the first ship that had ever sailed on that fresh- 
water sea." Against strong winds the vessel was 
finally, after having occupied four weeks in beating 
up from Kingston to Niagara, pushed as near the 
fulls as could be done with safety, and the advtn- 
turers landed. Here some magazines were built 
with great difficulty, as the ground was frozen, and 
the posts could be driven down only by pouring 
boiling water upon the surface, and thus thawing 
the earth. Here also they formed their first ac 
quaintance with the Iroquois of Niagara Village 
upon Lake Erie, and founded a second fort ; but. 
impeded by the jealousy of the Iroquois, they re. 
linquished the project, and merely erected a tem- 
porary v.'ork to secure the magazines. Leaving or- 
ders for his men to build another vessel, La Salle 
returned to Fort Frontenac to procure anchors, ca- 
bles, chains, and other outfits for his new ship. 
Through the winter days, when Lake Erie lay be- 
fore them covered with ice, like " a plain paved 
with fine-polished marble," his men hammered upon 
the ship, while others gathered furs and peltry in 
the forest, or strove to gain the good-will of the 
Iroquois, who claimed the country through which 
they were to pass, and who had never shown them, 
selves the special friends of the French. On the 
20th of January, 1679, the chevalier returned. 



LA salle's expedition. 51 

The vessel in which his outfits had been embaiked 
was wrecked ; and, although the most valuable part 
of her cargo was saved, the greater portion of her 
provisions went to the bottom. This, however, did 
not dishearten the stout-hearted adventurer. A 
considerable quantity of furs was collected during 
the winter, with which the commander, in the 
spring of 1679. returned to Fort Frontenac, and 
Tonti was sent out upon the shores of the lakes to 
muster his men, who had been before despatched 
into that region. The vessel, however, was at 
length built, in spite of all these obstacles, rigged 
and manned, and made ready to sail. 

The chain of fortifications thus projected by La 
Salle was afterward constructed upon the water- 
line of the Northwest, and its remains are still to 
be seen stretching from the shores of Lake Ontario 
\o the mouth of the Mississippi. 

On the seventh day of the month of August, 1679, 
the bark of sixty tons burden having at length been 
built, she started on the first voyage which had 
ever been made upon that inland sea, amid the 
sound of Te Deums and the discharge of arquebus- 
es. This vessel was named the Griffin, and the 
image of that animal was carved on her prow. 
Robert de la Salle was her commander ; and Louis 
Hennepin, the missionary, burning with ardour to 
make new discoveries, and also the journalist of 



52 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the expedition, was on board. The crew consisted 
of fur-traders taken from the Canadian colonies. 
They sounded while they ploughed along the waves 
of Lake Erie, as they did not know the depth of the 
water, and on the tenth of the same month they 
arrived near the islands which are grouped at the 
entrance of the Detroit River, where they anchor- 
ed.* Hennepin says of these islands, " They 
make the finest prospect in the world. The strait 
(of Detroit) is finer than Niagara, being one league 
broad, excepting that part which forms the lake 
that we have called St. Clair. ^^ 

The explorers, passing up the river and advan- 
cing across Lake Huron, soon landed on the shore 
of the northern part of the peninsula of Michigan, 
and in August they built the old Fort of Michili- 
mackinac. The descriptions of the country by 
these early travellers, although not entirely accu- 
rate, are interesting, and they will be regarded as 
of great value when the shores of the lakes shaU 
be crowded with a dense population. Of the seen, 
ery Hennepin remarks : " The country between 
the two lakes (Erie and Huron) is very well situa- 
ted, and the soil very fertile. The banks of the 
strait (Detroit) are vast meadows, and the pros- 
pect is terminated with some hills covered with 
vineyards, trees bearing good fruit, groves and for- 

* Hennepin. 



LA salle's expedition. 53 

ests so well disposed, that one would think Nature 
alone could not have made, without the help of art, 
so charming a prospect. That country is stocked 
with stags, wild goats, and bears, which are good 
for food, and not fierce as in other countries ; some 
think they are better than our pork. Turkey- 
cocks and swans are there very common ; and our 
men brought several other beasts and birds, whose 
names are unknown to us, but they are extraordi- 
nary relishing. 

" The forests are chiefly made up of walnut, 
chestnut, plum, and pear trees, loaded with their own 
fruit, and vines. There is also abundance of tim- 
ber for building; so that those who shall be so 
happy as to inhabit that noble country cannot but 
remember with gratitude them who have led the 
way." 

From Michilimackinac the French explorers 
went down to Green Bay. Here La Salle collect- 
ed a cargo of furs, and despatched them in the 
Griffin back to Niagara, in order to pay the debts 
which he owed in that quarter. But the vessel 
was never heard of afterward. With fourteen of 
his Frenchmen he now paddled down Lake Mich- 
igan in canoes, marking the shoals of that lake by 
bearskins stuck on poles, and feeding on the flesh 
of that animal. On the first of November, having 
reached the St. Joseph River of Lake Michigan, 



54 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

he built another rude fort at its mouth, called Fort 
Miami. Tonti, the Italian, La Salle's lieutenant, 
had been sent out upon the borders of the lake with 
some of his men to procure venison and to collect 
the straggling Frenchmen, and the party remained 
at St. Joseph awaiting the return of the Griffin. 

But winter now came on, and the Griffin did 
not appear. The party of La Salle, therefore, 
on the 1st of September, occupied themselves in 
driving palisades near the mouth of the St. Joseph 
River of Lake Michigan, in order to warn off the 
French bark from the shoals upon the borders of 
that lake. If the lakes should be frozen before the 
vessel returned, new obstacles would be thrown in 
his way ; for the wilderness presented but few 
friendly inhabitants and cultivated fields, the shores 
of the lakes no hospitable ports, so that he deter- 
mined to proceed upon '• his great voyage and glo- 
rious undertaking ;" and, collecting his crew, and 
leaving in the rude fort of St. Joseph a few men, 
he set out with the remainder and three monks. 
Passing to the Illinois, the party descended that 
river " byeasie journeys, the better to observe that 
countrey," which abounded with marshes, where 
no safe footing could be obtained. Through these 
swamps the adventurers proceeded until they ar 
rived at a village of the Illinois Indians, which con 
tained about five hundred untenanted cabins. Hert 



LA salle's expedition. 55 

the party of the Sieur de la Salle, being worn down 
with hunger, provided themselves with a quantity 
of corn, which was found hidden in holes in the 
ground under the Indian wigwams, and placed it 
on shipboard. This point is supposed to have been 
the present site of Rock Fort, upon the Illinois.* 

On the 4th of January, 1780, the ship being ready 
and the voyagers prepared, they proceeded into a 
lake believed to be Peoria, where they caught 
some good fish with which they might season their 
corn, when bands of savages appeared on both sides 
of the river, to which they had now returned. 
When, however, the startled Frenchmen supposed 
that, having been engaged in depredation, their 
season of fighting had arrived, they were agreea- 
bly surprised by being asked who they were, the 
savages " being naturally inclined to peace." The 
question having been answered, they were received 
by the Indians with much kindness, who, not as 
savages are used to do, but " as men well-bred 
and civilized," spread out before the needy voy- 
agers " beef, and stag, and all sorts of venison and 
fowls." This hospitable reception was repaid by 
discharges of firearms, and by presenting them 
large draughts of brandy. A feast, continuing 
three days, was at length concluded, and the French- 
men discovered in the Illinois great humanity, and 

* See " Early French Travellers in the West " 
E 



56 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

a " good disposition to civil society." They were 
" flatterers complaisant and cunning,' and, al- 
though they paid a sort of respect to virtue, they 
were still effeminate and dissolute.* In the midst 
of this nation La Salle concluded to build another 
fort, for the pacific character of the Indians in that 
quarter induced him to select this as its most fa- 
vourable site. A point upon the rising ground, 
near the river, vi^as chosen for that object, and here 
a rude fortification was built, which La Salle 
named Crevecxur, the Broken Heart : a touching 
name, indicating his disappointment, occasioned by 
the loss of the Griffin and the consequent wreck of 
his hopes, the jealousy of a portion of the savages, 
who had been persuaded that he was a friend of the 
Iroquois, and the mutiny of his men, which had al- 
ready begun to show itself by administering to him 
poison : misfortunes which sunk him in poverty, 
casting a gloom over his burning but iron heart, 
beclouding his glorious visions, and plunging him 
in doubt and despair. 

The winter was passed, and La Salle remained 
in the wilderness until the vegetation began to 
spring up on the prairies. Bereft of property, with 
his men, who even sought his life, fast deserting 
him, with Indians around him, instigated by capri- 
cious and uncertain motives, he still had left his 

* Tonti's Account of La Salle's Expedition. 



LA SALLE S EXPEDITION. 57 

own determined spirit : a spirit fearless of obstacles, 
which burned the brighter amid the gloom that en- 
compassed it. He found it necessary, therefore, to 
return to the Canadian colonies to raise men and 
money, and to prepare another outfit, for he was 
still firmly resolved to persevere in his original 
project. In accordance with this determination, he 
employed M. Dacan and Father Louis Hennepin 
to proceed from that point on an expedition for the 
discovery of the sources of the Mississippi, with a 
party consisting of eight persons, and on the last 
day of February, 1680, he started them on their 
voyage. At Fort Crevecceur the chevalier re- 
mained until the succeeding November, leaving 
Tonti and his men among the Illinois, and then de- 
parted from that fort for Canada. On his passage 
along the river, being struck with the position of a 
high rock upon the bank, he at once determined to 
construct a fort at that point, and, marking out a 
plan, sent it to Tonti at Fort Crevecceur. Tonti 
immediately proceeded to the execution of the proj- 
ect, but had hardly commenced when a revolt broke 
out among the men whom he had left at Fort Creve- 
cceur, and he was obliged to return. This new 
fort was named St. Louis, and was placed under 
the command of Tonti when La Salle returned to 
France. Its site was probably the spot that is now 
called Rock Fort, in La Salle county, Illinois. 



58 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Tonti, thus left in the woods with a garrison of 
undisciplined Frenchmen, hved on with httle quie- 
tude until September of 1681, when, to his horror, 
a body of the Iroquois appeared in this region, 
having been irritated during a journey along the 
borders of the lakes. What was the policy of 
Tonti in reference to these two hostile savage na- 
tions does not clearly appear, yet it is evident that 
he must have preserved neutral ground, acting as 
a mediator between them. But succour did not 
come ; and at length he was obliged to return to 
Canada with five men, in the middle of September 
of the same year, reaching Lake Michigan in Oc 
tober, and spending the winter upon its borders. 
Thus ended this expedition for discovery along 
the shores of the great lakes, under the auspices 
of an individual who should be known as the first 
navigator of Lake Erie. 

But let La Salle be followed to the close of his 
adventurous career. He had returned to Canada, 
where he busied himself in raising recruits, con- 
structing vessels, and gathering funds ; and the 
spring of 1682 found him again upon the Illinois, 
manning Crevecoeur, rebuilding Fort St. Louis, and 
soon returning to Fort Frontenac to prepare for 
his second voyage, which commenced on the Illi- 
nois River in 1683, when the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi was descried. But La Salle soon departed 



LA SALLE^S EXPEDITION. 59 

for France, to lay before the throne the record of 
what he had done, and also his project for the ex- 
ploration and settlement of the far-famed Louisiana. 
A fleet was provided by the agency of Seigneilay, 
consisting of twenty-four vessels, four of which 
were destined for Louisiana, carrying two hundred 
and eighty persons, soldiers, artificers, and " worn- 
en." Starting on his voyage across the ocean, on 
the 24th of July, 1684, he reached his destined 
point, where he was assassinated by his own men. 
Thus fell La Salle ; a man of energy, accomplish, 
ed, virtuous, ardent, and self-sacrificing; one of a 
class who ruin themselves while they benefit the 
world, neglect the means of happiness, and raise 
up for themselves a lasting remembrance.* 

No settlement had at this time been made at 
Detroit, because the traders and Jesuit missiona- 
ries had a more direct and safer route to the up- 
per lakes, from Montreal to Michilimackmac, by 
the way of the Ottawa River. But this point had 
long been regarded an eligible position for a settle, 
ment, as it commanded a broad tract of country, 
and stood, as it were, at the gate of the upper 
lakes, in a direct route from these lakes to the 
English colonies of New- York, by the way of Lake 
Erie. 

The Fren(^h and English both desired to obtain 
* Bancroft, 



60 HISTORY OF MICHIGAX. 

possession of this post. But while the English 
were looking to its acquisition, they were antici- 
pated by their rivals. Taking counsel from the 
movements of their opponents, the French called a 
grand meeting of the Iroquois, or Five Nations, £vt 
Montreal. The chiefs of the different tribes from 
the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi attended this 
meeting ; also the principal men and the governor- 
general of Canada. Here the establishment of a 
post at that place was discussed, and the grounds 
on which the two nations based their claims to it 
weighed. The Iroquois, however, said that, un- 
derstanding the French were about to make a set. 
tlement at that point, they were opposed to the 
measure, as they had already prohibited the Eng- 
lish from doing the same. The governor-general 
of Canada replied that the land belonged neither 
to the Iroquois nor to the English, but to the King 
of France, and that there was already an expedi- 
tion on the march for the purpose of erecting a 
colonial establishment at that place. In accord- 
ance with this plan, Antoine de la Moite Cadillac, 
lord of Bouaget, Mont Desert, having been grant. 
ed a tract of fifteen acres square by Louis XIV., 
left Montreal, accompanied by a Jesuit missionary 
and one hundred men, and arrived at the point of 
the wilderness which is now the site of Detroit, in 
onth of July, 1701, where they commenced 



FRENCH POSTS ON THE LAKES. 61 

the foundation of the first permanent settlement 
in Michigan.* Before it had only been known b} 
the French missionaries as a trading-post , and in 
1620 it was occupied by an Indian village, which 
was called Teuchsa Grondie.f The Saulte de St. 
Marie, as we have seen, had at that time been 
founded, and a rude post was also erected at Fort 
Gratiot, which was a resting- point for the fur- 
trade. 

This chain of fortifications was all the defence 
which was constructed upon the lake shores for 
nearly a century and a half, and it comprised a 
part of that line of forts that was projected by La 
Salle, extending from the St. Lawrence down the 
Mississippi to New. Orleans. Their object was to 
furnish outposts by which the territory of Canada 
on the borders of the lakes could be held, the Eng- 
lish settlements hemmed in, the Jesuit missionaries 
and settlers protected against the numerous and 
capricious tribes of savages in this quarter, and 
by which the fur-trade might circulate, with full 
success, along the lakes and streams of the North- 
west. The forts of Detroit, Michilimackinac, St. 
Joseph, and Green Bay were of rude construction;, 
and the chapels erected by their side were used 
for the religious assemblies of the French settlers, 
who were from that time collected around the 
* Charlevoix. t Golden. 



62 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

posts, and also of the Indians who were under the 
special guardianship of the Jesuit missionaries. 
These structures, minute points on the borders of 
the forest, were either roofed with bark or thatch- 
ed with straw, and on their top was generally erect- 
ed the cross. Tribes of friendly Indians that 
could be induced to settle near them, had their vil- 
lages or wigwams around these posts, and also 
their planting-grounds, in which they cultivated 
Indian corn, not only for the French settlers, but 
also for the persons connected with the fur-trade.* 
They derive their principal importance from the 
fact that they were the only outposts of the French 
government in this country before the English con- 
quest, and, consequently, the theatres of the most 
interesting frontier operations. 

About three years after Detroit was founded, the 
Ottawa Indians in that vicinity were invited to Al- 
bany, in New-York, upon what was supposed to be 
a friendly visit. As St. Joseph was surrounded by 
villages of the Hurons, Pottawatomies, and Miam- 
is, so also was Detroit at that time guarded by- 
parts of the friendly tribes of the Hurons and Pot- 
tawatomies near the settlements, and an Ottawa 
village had been erected on the opposite bank of 
the river. It would appear that while the Ottawas 
were in Albany, they had been persuaded by the 
* La Hontan's Voyages. 



DETROIT ATTACKED. 63 

English, who even then wished to obtain possession 
of the post of their rivals, that it was the design of 
the French to wrest the dominion of the country 
from their hands ; and they accordingly set fire to 
the town, but without success, as the fire was soon 
extinguished. At this time, also, groups of sava- 
ges of the same tribe, having made a successful 
expedition against their enemies the Iroquois, and 
warm with victory, were seen paraded in hostile 
array in front of the fort ; but M. Tonti, who was 
the commandant of the post, despatching the Sieur 
de Vincennes against them, he dispersed their 
bands, and rescued the Iroquois prisoners whom 
they left behind them in their flight.* 

The progress of operations on the lake shores 
was not at this period marked with any very great 
interest, as the settlements were few ; but they re- 
flect, nevertheless, the spirit which prevailed in 
France during their continuance. The lands lay 
sleeping in their original silence and solitude, un- 
disturbed by the plough. Occasionally the settlers 
may have been surprised by their ancient enemies 
the Iroquois, but the appearance of parts of these 
nations excited a surprise which soon settled down 
into peace. But in 1712, the Ottagamies or Foxes, 
who had been before but little known, but who 
were probably in secret alliance with the Iroquois, 
* Cass. 



64 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

projected" a plan for the destruction of Detroit. 
They made their arrangements in secret, and sent 
their bands to collect around the new French set- 
tlement, which was then garrisoned by a force of 
twenty soldiers, of whom M. Du Buisson was the 
commandant. The occupants of the three French 
villages of Indians, the Ottawas, Pottawatomies. 
and Hurons, were then absent on a hunting ex- 
cursion. A converted Indian, however, under the 
influence of a Jesuit missionary, disclosed their 
plot before it was ripe for execution, and Du Buis- 
son immediately sent despatches through the forest 
to call in the aid of the friendly Indians, and pre- 
pared for an effective defence. 

On the 13th of May of that year, the Foxes made 
their onset upon Detroit with fiendish yells. No 
sooner, however, was the attack commenced, than 
portions of the friendly Indians were seen through 
the wilderness, painted for battle as is their custom, 
and the gates of the fort were opened to receive 
them. A consultation was now held at the coun- 
cil-house, and they renewed their league with Du 
Buisson, and expressed their determination, if ne- 
cessary, to die in the defence of the post. On the 
arrival of the friendly Indians, the Foxes retreated 
to the forest which now adjoins the eastern bound- 
ary of Detroit, and intrenched themselves in their 
camp. 



DETROIT AGAIN ATTACKED. (55 

The French then sallied out from the fort, and, 
backed by their savage allies, elected a .blockhouse 
in front of their camp, in order to force the enemy 
from their position. Here the latter were close- 
ly besieged ; being cut off from their supply of 
water, and driven to desperation by thirst and 
famine, they in turn rushed out from their strong- 
holds upon the French and the friendly Indians, 
and succeeded in getting possession of a house 
near the village. This house they fortified, but 
they were here attacked by the French cannon, 
and driven back to their former intrenchment. 

Finding that their league was likely to prove un- 
successful, the Foxes now sent despatches to the 
French commandant, asking for peace, which was 
denied them. Upon this they considered them- 
selves insulted, and, burning with revenge, they 
discharged showers of blazing arrows upon the 
fort. The lighted matches they had affixed to 
their arrows coming in contact with the dry roofs 
of the houses, kindled them into flame, when the 
precaution was taken to cover the rest with wet 
skins, and by this means they were preserved.* 
The desperation of the Foxes almost discouraged 
the French commandant, and he had nearly deter- 
mined to evacuate Detroit and to retire to Michili- 
mackinac, when his Indian allies promised to re- 

* Cas8. 



66 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

double their efforts for his defence ; and the war- 
songs and dances of their bands, heard through the 
soHtude of the forest, assured him that- a more des- 
perate effort was about to be made in his behalf. 
The preparations having been finished, the French 
and Indians advanced upon the Foxes with more 
determined courage, and, pouring upon their in- 
trenchments a deadly fire, they were soon filled 
with the dying and the dead. Once more the 
Foxes demanded peace. Before any capitulation, 
however, was completed, the enemy retreated to- 
wards Lake St. Clair during a storm at midnight, 
on the nineteenth day of the siege.* 

The French and their Indian allies, as soon as 
they discovered their flight, prepared for a pursuit, 
and soon came upon their camps. An action be- 
gan, which at the outset was in favour of the Fox- 
es, the French and Indians being repulsed. But 
a different plan of operation was soon after adopt- 
ed, and with better success. At the end of three 
days a field-battery was completed, and the in- 
trenchment of the Foxes fell before the French 
cannon. 

The Foxes may be considered the Ishmaelites 
of the wilderness, for they were at enmity with all 
the tribes on the lakes. They collected their for- 
ces on the Fox River of Green Bay, where they 

* Cass 



THE FOXES. 67 

commanded the territory between the lakes and the 
Mississippi, so that it was dangerous for travellers 
to pass through that region except in large bodies^ 
and armed, while their warriors were sent out to 
seek objects of plunder and devastation. So great 
was the danger apprehended by the missionaries 
and traders in passing through that territory, as 
well as by the French settlers, and so great the 
injury already done by those tribes, that an expe- 
dition was fitted out against them by the French, 
backed by their Indian allies, who were rankling 
under a sense of repeated wrongs. This warlike 
nation had stationed itself on the banks of the Fox 
River, at a place then and now called by the 
French Butte des Morts, or the Hill of the Dead, 
defending their position by a ditch and three cour- 
ses of palisades.* Here they collected their wom- 
en and children, and prepared for a desperate re- 
sistance. M. de Louvigny, the commandant of 
the expedition, perceiving the strength of their 
works, determined not to expose his men by a di- 
rect attack, but entered upon a regular siege, and 
was preparing for the final crisis when the Foxes 
proposed a capitulation. This was accepted ; and 
the pride of the Foxes being thus humbled, they 
sank into obscurity during \he remainder of the 
French war.* 

* Cass. 



68 HlSl'OR-i OF MICHIGAN. 

Thus it is seen that, although the hw French 
forts upon the lakes were rudely constructed, and 
but poorly adapted to make a serious and effective 
defence, they were nevertheless competent, with 
their small garrisons, to protect the emigrants 
against the disaffected tribes which were from 
time to time arrayed against them. The pick- 
ets which surrounded them, composed of upright 
stakes, furnished a line of concealment rather than 
strong bulwarks, and, together with the light can- 
non with which they were mounted, enabled the 
French to suppress the disturbances that occa- 
sionally sprang up around their posts.* 

The early missionaries and French travellers 
who journeyed through the region of the lakes 
exhibit a peculiar form of character. Tinctured 
with the spirit which prevailed in France at the 
period of their immigration, the novel scenes around 
them impressed them with those sentiments of ro- 
mance so peculiar to the French. They show the 
spirit under which the missionaries and soldiers 
travelled, and the eloquence with which the scenes 
around them tended to inspire their minds. 

The forests amid which their lot was cast were 
calculated to fill them with wonder and admira- 
tion. A vast chain of inland seas, which appeared 
to them like oceans, stretched a watery horizon 
* Cass. 



CHARACTER OF THE EARLY EXPLORERS. 69 

along the borders of the wilderness. Flocks of 
water-fowl of varied plumage streamed along the 
shores of the lakes, and the waters swarmed with 
fish. The face of nature, fresh in the luxuriance 
of a virgin soil, was everywhere clothed with 
magnificent vegetation. Did they travel through 
the Indian trails or bridle-paths which wound 
through the forest, extensive tracts of oaklands, 
that seemed like cultivated parks, met their eye, 
studded with little crystal lakes and streams, and 
covered with flowers. Herds of buffaloes wan- 
dered over the prairies, trampling down the flow- 
ers which blushed in their track as they rushed 
on in clumsy motion.* Great numbers of moose 
and elk, which in the size of their horns almost 
rivalled the branches of the trees, bounded through 
the thickets. Deer were here and there seen feed, 
ing upon the margin of the water-courses. Flocks 
of wild turkeys and other game filled the woods ; 
the prairies were alive with grouse, and pigeons 
swept along like clouds above the forest, in num- 
bers which sometimes almost hid the sun. 

But more than this, they beheld in the luxuriance 
of the soil a prize which, if judiciously managed, 
would be a source of inexhaustible wealth to their 
nation. Rich clusters o^ grapes hung from the 
trees, which reminded them of the champaign dis- 
* Charlevoix. 



70 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

tricts of France from which they emigrated ; and 
apples and plums, crude to the taste, but that by- 
culture might be much improved, abounded in the 
groves. 

" Lake Erie," says La Hontan, who command- 
ed a fort upon it in 1688, " is justly dignified with 
the illustrious name of Conti ; for assuredly it is 
the finest upon earth. You may judge of the 
goodness of the climate from the latitude of the 
countries that surround it. Its circumference ex- 
tends to two hundred and thirty leagues, but it af- 
fords everywhere a charming prospect, and its 
shores are decked with oak-trees, elms, chest- 
nut-trees, walnut, apple, plum-trees, and vines 
which bear their fine clusters up to the very tops 
of the trees, upon a sort of ground that lies as 
smooth as one's hand. Such ornaments as these 
are sufficient to give rise to the most agreeable 
idea of a landscape in the world. I cannot ex- 
press what quantities of deer and turkeys are to 
be found in these woods, and in the vast meadows 
that lie upon the south side of the lake. At the 
foot of the lake we find wild beeves (buffaloes), 
upon the banks of two pleasant streams that dis- 
embogue into it, without cataracts or rapid cur- 
rents. It abounds with sturgeon and whitefish, 
but trouts are very scarce in it, as well as the other 
fish that we take in the Lakes of Hurons (Huron) 



CHARACTER OF THE EARLY EXPLORERS. 71 

and lllincse (Michigan). It is clear of shelves, 
rocks, and banks of sand, and has fourteen or fif- 
teen fathoms water. The savages assure us that 
it is never disturbed by high winds except in the 
months of December, January, and February, and 
even then but seldom, which I am very apt to be- 
lieve, for we had very few storms when I wintered 
in my fort in 1688, though the fort lay open to the 
Lake of Hurons. The banks of this lake are 
commonly frequented by none but warriors, wheth- 
er the Iroquese, the Illinese, the Oumamies, &c., 
and it is very dangerous tor stop there. By this 
means it comes to pass that the stags, roebucks, 
and turkeys run in great bodies up and down the 
shore all around the lake. In former times the 
Errironons and the Andastogueronons lived upon 
the confines of the lake ; but they were extirpated 
by the Iroquese, as well as the other nations mark- 
ed on the map."* 

Charlevoix, who travelled through the region of 
the lakes in 1720 as an accredited agent of the 
French government, gives an account equally in- 
teresting respecting the condition of the country 
at the time when he wrote. " The first of June 
being the day of Pentecost," says he, " after hav- 
ing travelled up a beautiful river for the space of 
an hour, which has its rise, as they say, at a great 

* La Hontan's Voyages. 
F 



72( HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

distance, and runs between two fine meadows, we 
passed over a carrying.place of about sixty paces 
in breadth, in order to avoid turning round a point 
which is called the Long Point. It is a very sandy 
spot of ground, and naturally bears a great quan- 
tity of vines. The following days 1 saw nothing 
remarkable, but coasted along a charming coun- 
try, hid at times by very disagreeable prospects, 
which, however, are of no great extent. Wher- 
ever I went ashore, I was enchanted by the beauty 
and variety of a prospect which was terminated by 
the noblest forests in the whole world. Add to 
this, that every part of it swarms with water-fowl. 
I cannot say whether the woods afford game in 
equal profusion, but I well know that on the south 
side there is a prodigious quantity of buffaloes. 
Were we all to sail as I then did, with a serene 
sky, in a most charming climate, and in water as 
clear as that of the purest fountain ; were we sure 
of finding everywhere secure and agreeable places 
to pass the night in, where we might enjoy the 
pleasure of hunting at a small expense, breathe at 
our ease the purest air, and enjoy the prospect of 
the finest countries in the universe, we might pos- 
sibly be tempted to travel to the end of our days. 
I recalled to mind those ancient patriarchs who 
had no fixed place of abode ; who lived in tents ; 
who were, in a manner, the masters of all the coun- 



CHARLEVOIX AT DETROIT. 73 

tries they passed through ; and who enjoyed in 
peace and tranquilhty all their productions, without 
the plague inevitable in the possession of a real 
and fixed estate. How many oaks represented to 
me that of Mamre ! How many fountains put me 
in mind of that of Jacob ! Each day a new situa- 
tion, chosen at pleasure ; a neat and commodious 
house, built and furnished with all necessaries in 
less than a quarter of an hour, and floored with a 
pavement of flowers continually springing up on 
a carpet of the most beautiful green ; on all sides 
simple and natural beauties, unadulterated and in 
imilable by any art."* 

Charlevoix at that early period visited Detroit 
for the purpose of viewing the young colony, where 
he recommended that an accession should be made 
to the strength of the infant settlement from Mon- 
treal. This addition to their power was approved 
of by the French, on the ground that it would se- 
cure them the fur-trade, then too much within 
reach of the Enghsh of New-York. He also at- 
tended, while here, a council of the chiefs of the 
three villages near Detroit, where the question was 
discussed whether it was proper to introduce bran- 
dy among the Indians, a practice which the Jesuits 
finally succeeded in abolishing. In alluding to 
Detroit, he says, " It is pretended that this is the 
* Charlevoix's Journal. 



74 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

finest part of all Canada ; and really, if we can 
judge by appearances, nature seems to have de- 
nied it nothing which can contribute to niake a 
country delightful : hills, meadows, fields, lofty for- 
ests, rivulets, fountains, rivers, and all of them so 
excellent in their kind, and so happily blended as 
to equal the most romantic wishes. The lands, 
however, are not equally proper for every kind of 
grain ; but most are of a wonderful fertility, and I 
have known some produce good wheat for eighteen 
years running without any manure ; and, besides, 
all of them are proper for some particular use. 
The islands seem placed on purpose for the pleas- 
ure of the prospect, the river and lake abound in 
fish, the air is pure, and the climate temperate and 
extremely wholesome."* f 

* Charlevoix's Journal. 

t These travellers were not, nor could they be expected to be. 
in all cases accurate, from their rapid passage through the 
Western territory ; but in their accounts of their own experi- 
ence we derive much valuable information of its actual condi- 
tion during the time when they wrote. Glimpses of wild beasts 
which they had never before seen, vegetable productions whose 
names they did not know, fragments of facts collected from the 
accounts of the Indians, always exaggerated and seldom authen- 
tic, passed in rapid succession before their minds, while they 
journeyed onward in bewildered amazement, through rivers, 
lakes, forests, and Indian camps ; and their impressions, thus 
coloured and distorted, found their way into their books. But, 
taken as a whole, their accounts are as accurate as could be ex 
pected, considering the circumstances under which they wrote. 



CHARLEVOIX AT DETROIT. 75 

The Jesuit being requested by Tonti to visit the 
great council at Detroit, consented to do so on the 
day of his arrival ; and his account of that coun- 
cil is here transcribed 

*' On the 7th of June, which was the day of my 
arrival at the fort (Detroit), Mons. de Tonti, who 
commands here, assembled the chiefs of the three 
villages I have just mentioned, in order to commu- 
nicate to them the orders he had received from the 
Marquis de Vaudreuil. They heard him calmly 
and without interruption. When he had done 
speaking, the orator of the Hurons told him in a 
few words that they were going to consult about 
what he had proposed to them, and would give him 
their answer in a short time. It is the custom of 
the Indians not to give an immediate answer on 
an affair of any importance. Two days afterward 
they assembled at the commandant's, who was de- 
sirous I should be present at this council, together 

If, for example, the zealous Marquette depicts "wingless 
swans" as floating upon the Mississippi ; if Hennepin describes 
** wild goats" upon the shores of Lake Erie ; if La Hontan dis- 
courses upon the " Long River," and Charlevoix alludes to the 
♦' citrons" as growing upon the banks of the Detroit, we are dis- 
posed to attribute their inaccuracies less to intentional misrep- 
resentation than to natural and obvious mistake. Accurate ob- 
servation and minute care are required to establish with perfect 
correctness the facts connected with any country, and he who 
should look to early records for historical matter will find much 
chaff to be winnowed from the genuine and golden wheat. 



76 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

with the officers of the garrison. Sasteratfi, whom 
the French caU King of the Huroiis, and who is, 
in fact, hereditary chief of the Tionnontatez, who 
are the true Hurons, was also present on this oc- 
casion ; but as he is still a minor, he came only 
for form's sake : his uncle, who governs in his 
name, and who is called regent, spoke in quality 
of orator of the nation. Now the honour of speak- 
ing in the ^lame of the whole is generally given 
to some Huron, when any of them happen to be of 
the council. The first view of their assemblies 
gives you no great idea of the body. Imagine to 
yourself, madame, half a score of savages almost 
stark naked, with their hair disposed in as many 
different manners as there are persons in the as- 
sembly, and all of them equally ridiculous ; some 
with laced hats, all with pipes in their mouths, 
and with the most unthinking faces. It is, be- 
sides, a rare thing to hear one utter so much as a 
single word in a quarter of an hour, or to hear any 
answer made even in monosyllables ; not the least 
mark of distinction, nor any respect paid to any 
person whatsoever. We should, however, be apt 
to change our opinions of them on hearing the re- 
sult of their deliberations."* 

This, as is described by Charlevoix, was the 
general mode in which the Indian councils were 
* Charlevoix's Journal. 



THE INDIANS. 77 

neld with the French upon the lakes when ques- 
tions of importance were to be decided. It was 
necessary to secure the concurrence of the sava- 
ges in every measure of policy, so that these tribes 
should co-operate with them in carrying it into 
effect. 



78 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER TIL 

Colonial Emigrants. — Merchants. — Coureurs des Bois. — Tbs 
Peasantry. — French Soldiers. — Legal Administration. — Pol 
icy of the French Government. — Indian Mythology of the 
Lakes. — Mode of Land Distribution.— Increase of Coloniza- 
tion. — The Fur-trade of the Lakes. — Canadian Boat-songs. 
— La Hontan's Account of the Fur-trade. 

The posts of the French upon the lakes, while 
the Western territory was under their government, 
exhibit a peculiar form of character, combined 
with institutions no less singular. The few feeble 
colonies that were scattered through this territory 
had emigrated principally from Brittany and Nor- 
mandy, provinces of France. Working men, 
drawn from the more dense settlements around 
Quebec and Montreal, the seats of the bishops, 
the seigneurs, and the Jesuits, they were sent out 
for the purpose of building up the posts, and of 
protecting the fur-trade carried on through the 
chain of the great lakes. Despatched for these 
objects, they were expected to endure cheerfully 
the hardships they would be called on to encounter 
in their establishment. The population assembled 
at these posts consisted of the military by which 
they were garrisoned, Jesuits, priests, merchants, 



COLONIAL EMIGRANTS. 79 

traders, and peasants. But a small portion of this 
population, however, was stationary. It was mo- 
ved from place to place, as the interests of the 
French government seemed to require. 

The French commandants^ at these posts wert; 
the most prominent individuals, and, with their gar- 
risons, constituted a little monarchy within them- 
selves. Their power was arbitrary, extending to 
the right of doing whatever they might deem ex- 
pedient for the welfare of the settlements, whether 
in making laws or in punishing crimes. Under 
this simple and imperfect form of government, the 
oldest merchants residing at the several posts were 
reverenced as the head men of their particular col- 
ony. Careful and frugal in their habits, without 
much of what we should call rigid virtue, it was 
their policy to exercise their influence among the 
settlers with paternal mildness, that they might se- 
cure their obedience, to keep on good terms with 
the Indians in order to retain their trade, and they 
often fostered a large number of half-breed chil- 
dren around their posts, who were the offspring of 
their licentiousness. 

The Coureurs des Bois, or rangers of the woods, 
were either French or half-breeds, a hardy race, 
accustomed to labour and privation, and thorough- 
ly conversant with the character and habits of the 
* La Hontan's Voyages. 



80 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

savage tribes from which they obtained their furs 
and peltry. They could, with no less skill than 
the Indians, ply the oar of the light canoe upon the 
waters of the lakes, were equally dexterous in hunt- 
ing and trapping, and, as they pointed their rifles 
at the squirrel on the top of the tallest tree, they 
could confidently say to their ball, like the ancient 
warrior, " to the right eye." These half-breeds 
generally spoke the language both of their French 
and Indian parents, and knew just enough of their 
religion to be alike regardless of that of each. 
Employed by the French companies as voyageurs 
or guides, their forms, which were models of man- 
ly beauty, were developed to great strength by pro- 
pelling the canoe along the lakes and rivers, and 
by carrying heavy packs of merchandise for the 
fur-trade across the portages, by means of leather 
straps, suspended from their shoulders or resting 
against their foreheads. From having travelled 
through numerous points of the wilderness, they 
became familiar with the trails of the most remote 
Indian tribes, and with the depth of the water in 
every inlet and stream of the lakes, as well as with 
every island, rock, and shoal. Their ordinary 
dress was a " moleton" or blanket-coat, a red cap, 
a belt of cloth passed around the middle, and a 
loose shirt.* Sometimes, in their voyages through 
* Henry. 



THE PEASANTRY. 81 

the lakes, they wore a brown coat or cloak, with a 
cape which could be drawn up from their shoul- 
ders over their heads like a hood. At other times 
they had on elkskin trowsers, the scams of which 
were ornamented with fringes, a surtout of coarse 
blue cloth reaching to the calf of the leg, a scarlet- 
coloured worsted sash fastened about the waist, in 
which was stuck a broad knife employed in dis- 
secting the animals taken in hunting, and mocca- 
sins made of buckskin. Affable, gay, and active, 
these men were employed by the French mer- 
chants either as guides, canoemen, carriers, or tra- 
ders, to advance into the wilderness and procure 
their furs from the Indians, to transport them along 
the lakes and streams, and lodge them in the sev- 
eral depots or factories which were established in 
connexion with the French forts. 

The peasants, or that class of the lake settlers 
who cultivated small patches of ground within the 
narrow circle of their picket-fences, were few. 
Their dress was peculiar, and even wild. They 
wore surtouts of coarse blue cloth, fastened at the 
middle with a red sash, a scarlet woollen cap con- 
taining a scalping-knife, and moccasins made of 
deerskin. Civilization and barbarism were here 
strangely mingled. Groups of Indians from the 
remotest shores of the lakes, wild in their garb, 
would occasionally make their appearance at the 



82 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

settlements with numerous canoes laden with bea- 
ver-skins, which they had brought down to these 
places of deposite. Among them were intermixed 
the French soldiers of the garrison, with their blue 
coats turned up with white facings,* and the Jes- 
uits, with their long gowns and black bands, from 
which were suspended by silver chains the ro- 
sary and crucifix, who, with the priests, had their 
stations around the forts, and ministered in the 
chapels. 

Agriculture was but little encouraged by the 
policy of the fur-trade or the character of the 
population. It was confined to a few patches of 
Indian corn and wheat, which they rudely cultiva- 
ted, with little knowledge of correct husbandry. 
They ground their grain in windmills, which were 
scattered along the banks of Detroit River and the 
St. Clair lake. The recreations of the French 
colonists consisted in attending the religious ser- 
vices held in the rude chapels on the borders of 
the wilderness, in adorning their altars with wild 
flowers, in dancing to the sound of the violin at 
each other's houses, in hunting the deer through 
the oak-land openings, and in paddling their light 
canoes across the clear and silent streams. The 
women employed themselves in making coarse cot- 
ton and woollen cloths for the Indian trade. In 

* JIanuscript Journals from Detroit, 



THE JESUITS. 83 

their cottages were hung rude pictures of saints, 
the Madonna and child, and the leaden crucifix 
supplied the place of one of silver. Abundance of 
game strayed in the woods, and the waters were 
ilive with fish. 

As these immigrants were sent out by the 
French government, they were provided by its di- 
rection, through the commissariat department, with 
canvass for tents, hoes, axes, sickles, guns, so many 
pounds of powder, and meat, with the stipulation 
that these should be paid for when a certain quan- 
tity of land had been cleared.* 

The Jesuits, who were the most active agents 
in the exploration of these regions, were, as a class, 
persons of highly-cultivated and intelligent minds, 
and of polished manners. The narratives of their 
wanderings through the wilderness throw a col- 
ouring of romance around the prairies, and forests, 
and lakes, which amounts almost to a classic spir- 
it ; yet they have left upon the lake-shores but few 
monuments either of their benevolence or their 
enterprise. The success of the Jesuits among the 
Indians was small compared with the extent of 
their labours. By the savages these Catholic mis- 
sionaries were regarded as medicine-men and jug* 
glers, on whom the destiny of life and death de- 
pended ; and, although they were greatly feared, 
* Manuscript Journals from Detroit. 



84 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

they succeeded in making but few converts to their 
religious faith, excepting young children, or Indians 
just about to sink into their graves. 

The administration of the law around these 
scattered posts was founded on no compact and 
settled system. The Coutume de Paris,* or cus- 
tom of Paris, was the law of Canada ; but this 
code, although it was received and practised upon 
in the older and more populous settlements of 
the lower province, was not adopted and enfor- 
ced with any degree of uniformity or strictness 
among the more distant colonists. The command, 
ants of the posts had the principal cognizance of 
the population around them, and exercised their 
authority in a mild, though arbitrary manner. In- 
deed, such was the feudal character of this law, that 
the French paid a willing and implicit obedience 
to their commandants, who, being invested with un- 
limited power, were styled the " governors of the 
posts." A perfect system of law can exist only 
where there is sufficient intelligence to mark out 
and determine the rule of right, and sufficient mor- 
al power to enforce it. A register was kept, in 
which the character and circumstances of the col- 
onists were recorded, and in which the Jesuit or 
the commandant of the post might inspect the con- 
dition of each one as upon a map. There was 
* See the Coutume de Paris, in three volumes. 



INDIAN MYTHOLOGY. 85 

here no system of education like that which pre- 
vailed in New-England ; and all the knowledge 
acquired by the children of the colonists was ob- 
tained from the priests, and related to the tenets 
of the Catholic Church.* 

A singular form of character was also thrown 
around the territory by the mythology of the sav- 
ages. The Indians had not only their good Man- 
itos, but their evil spirits ; and the wild features 
of the lake scenery appears to have impressed 
their savage minds with superstition. They be- 
lieved that all the prominent points of this wide 
region were created and guarded by monsters ; 
and the images of these they sculptured on stone, 
painted upon the rocks, or carved upon the trees. 
Those who obeyed these supernatural beings, the/ 
thought, would after death range among flowery 
fields filled with the choicest game, while those 
who neglected their counsels would wander amid 
dreary solitudes, stung by " gnats as large as pi- 
geons. "f 

The plan of distributing the land was calculated 
lo prevent the settlement of the country. A law 
was passed requiring the houses of the inhabitants 
to be placed upon ground with a front of only one 
acre and a half, and running forty acres back.:| 

* Manuscript Journals. t Henry, 

t See Appendix A, B. 



86 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

This kept the settlements in a close line along^hfi 
banks of the streams. A feudal and aristocratic 
spirit also controlled the grants of land. The 
commandants of the forts had the power to ccnvey 
lands, with the permission of the governor-general 
of Canada, subject to the confirmation of the King 
of France, the right of shooting hares, rabbits, 
and partridges being reserved to the grantor. 
The grantee was bound to clear and improve the 
land within three years from the date of his deed. 
The timber that might be necessary for the con- 
struction of fortifications or vessels was reserved ; 
and no person was permitted to work upon his 
land at the trade of a blacksmith, gunsmith, ar- 
morer, or brewer, but on pain of forfeiture. He 
was forbidden the trafficking in spirituous liquors 
with the Indians ; and, what was the most singular 
requisition of all, he was bound to plant or assist 
in planting a long Maypole at the door of the prin- 
cipal manor on the first of May in each year. 
Such were the feudal features of this system, 
equally opposed to the increase of the settlements, 
to freedom, and independence. How striking is 
the contrast between this system and the policy of 
our American laws now acting on the soil, which, 
by furnishing land cheap, offer every encourage- 
ment to agriculture, and thus freely open the treas- 
ures of the earth to the labours of our hardy and 
enterprising citizens. 



THE FRENCH FUR-TRADE. 87 

As early as 1749, the post of Detroit and the 
others upon the Northwestern lakes, Michilimack- 
inac, Ste. Marie, and St. Joseph, received an acces- 
sion of immigrants. The last two were called af- 
ter the saints of those names in the Catholic calen- 
dar. Michilimackinac derives its name from the 
Indian words MicJii-mackinac, meaning a great 
turtle, from its supposed resemblance to that an- 
imal, or from the Chippewa words Michine-mauk- 
inonkf signifying the place of giant fairies, who 
were supposed by Indian superstition to hover over 
the waters around that beautiful island.* The 
origin of the name of Detroit is the French word 
Detroit, signifying a strait, because the post was 
situated on the strait connecting Lake Erie with 
Lake St. Clair. 

During the whole period of the French domina- 
tion, extending from the first settlement of the 
country down to the year 1760, the traffic of 
Michigan was confined principally to the trade in 
furs. This interesting traffic upon the great lakes 
was carried on by the French under peculiar cir- 
cumstances. As the forests of the lake region 
abounded with furs which were of great value in 
the mother-country, it became an important object 
with the Canadian government to prosecute that 
trade with all the energy in its power. The rich 

* Schoolcraft's Algic Researches. 
G 



88 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

furs of the beaver and otter were particularly 
valuable, from the great demand for them in Eu- 
rope. Large canoes made of bark, and strongly 
constructed, were despatched annually to the lakes, 
laden with packs of European merchandise, con- 
sisting of blankets, printed calicoes, ribands, cut- 
lery, and trinkets of various kinds, which the In- 
dians used , and De.roit, Michilimackinac, and Ste. 
Marie were their principal places of deposite. 

To secure the interests of the large companies, 
licenses for this trade were granted by the gov- 
ernor-general of Canada to the merchants, who 
sometimes sold them to the coureurs des bois. 
The possessor of one of these licenses was enti- 
tled to load two large canoes, each of which was 
manned by six men. The cargo of one of these 
canoes was valued at about a thousand crowns. 
This merchandise was sold to the traders on a 
credit, and at about fifteen per cent, advance on 
the price it would command in ready money. 
But the voyages were very profitable, and there 
was generally a gain of about one hundred per 
cent, on the sum invested in the enterprise. The 
traders endured most of the fatigue, and the mer- 
chants received most of the profit. On the return 
of one of these expeditions, six hundred crowns 
were taken by the merchant for his license ; and 
as he had sold the thousand crowns' worth of goods 



THE COUREURS DES BOIS. 89 

ut their prime cost, from this sum he also deducted 
forty per cent, for bottomry ; the remainder was 
then divided among the six coureurs des bois, who 
were thus left with but a small compensation for 
all their perils and hardship.* 

The coureurs des hois were the active agents of 
the fur-trade. Thoroughly acquainted with the 
navigation of the lakes, they fearlessly swept along 
the waters of these inland seas, encamping at night 
upon its shores. Of mixed white and Indian blood, 
they formed the connecting link between civiliza- 
tion and barbarism. Their dress was also demi- 
savage. Lively and sanguine, they were at all 
times ready to join the Indians in the dance, or 
pay respect to their ceremonies. Their French 
fathers had familiarly associated with the native 
tribes, and their mothers and wives were the in- 
mates of Indian camps. In many respects their 
character resembled that of mariners upon the 
ocean, for the same general causes might be said 
to operate upon both. Instead of navigating the 
high seas in ships tossed by storms, and ploughing 
the waves from port to port, it was their lot to 
propel their light canoes over the fresh-water seas 
of the forest ; where, hurried from one Indian vil- 
lage to another, like the mariner on the ocean, 

* La Hontan's Voyages. 



90 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

they acquired all those habits which belong to an 
unsettled and wandering life. 

Advancing to the remote shores of Lake Supe- 
rior or Lake Michigan, and following the courses 
of the rivers which flow into them, as soon as they 
reached the points where the Indians were in the 
habit of resorting, they at once encamped. Here 
they opened their packages of goods, exhibited 
them to their savage customers, and exchanged 
them for furs ; and, having disposed of all their 
merchandise, and loaded their canoes with the pel- 
tries it had procured, they bade adieu to their In- 
dian friends, and started on their voyage back, 
with feathers stuck in their hats, keeping time with 
their paddles to the Canadian boat-song.* 

La Hontan, in his Journal, which was published 
in France, and a translation of which was after- 
ward published in this country, gives an interesting 
account of the fur-trade, showing the general 
course of that traffic while the Canadas were un- 
der the French. The author resided at Montreal. 
At this time (1688) Michilimackinac was the prin- 
cipal stopping-place for the traders on their way 
from Montreal or Detroit to the forests bordering 
on Lake Superior. Here their goods were depos- 
ited, and here the furs were collected for their re- 
turn freight. Sometimes, however, the traders, 
» Tales of the Northwest. 



LA HONTAN DESCRIBES THE FUR-TRADE. 91 

accompanied by numerous canoes of the Ottawas, 
would proceed directly to the older settlements on 
the St. Lawrence, where they supposed they might 
be able to dispose of their cargoes to greater ad- 
vantage than at the interior posts. 

The following is La Hontan's account of the 
fur-trade at the period referred to : 

" Much about the same day," says he, " there 
arrived twenty- five or thirty canoes, being home- 
ward bound from the great lakes, and laden with 
beaver-skins. The cargo of each canoe amounted 
to forty packs, each of which weighs fifty pounds, 
and will fetch fifty crowns at the farmer's office. 
These canoes were followed by /?fty more of the 
Ottawas and Hurons, who come down every year 
to the colony in order to make a better market 
than they can do in their own country of Michili- 
mackinac, which lies on the banks of the Lake of 
Hurons, at the mouth of the Lake of Ulinese (Mich- 
igan). Their way of trading is as follows : 

" Upon their arrival they encamp at the distance 
of five or six hundred paces from the town. The 
first day is spent in ranging their canoes, unload- 
ing their goods, and pitching their tents, which are 
made of birch bark. The next day they demand 
audience of the governor-general, which is grant- 
ed them that same day, in a public place. 

** '^'pon this occasion each nation makes a ring 



92 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

for itself. The savages sit upon the ground with 
pipes in their mouths, and the governor is seated 
in an arm-chair ; after which there starts up an 
orator or speaker from one of these nations, who 
makes an harangue importing that his brethren 
are come to visit the governor-general, to renew 
with him their wonted friendship ; that their chief 
view is to promote the interest of the French, 
some of whom, being unacquainted with the way of 
traffic, and being too weak for the transporting of 
goods from the lakes, would be unable to deal in 
beaver-skins if his brethren did not come in per- 
son to deal with them in their own colonies. That 
they knew very well how acceptable their arrival 
is to the inhabitants of Montreal, in regard of the 
advantage they reap from it ; that, in regard to the 
beaver-skins, they were much valued in France, 
and the French goods given in exchange were of 
an inconsiderable value ; and that they mean to 
give the French sufficient proof of their readiness 
to furnish them with what they desire so ear- 
nestly. 

" That, by way of preparation for another year's 
cargo, they are come to take in exchange fusees, 
and powder and ball, in order to hunt great num- 
bers of beavers, or to gall the Iroquese in case 
they offered to disturb the French settlements ; 
and, in fine, in confirmation of their words, thnt 



LA HONTAN DESCRIBES THE FUR-TRADE. 93 

they throw a porcelain collar (belt of wampum), 
with some beaver-skins, to the kitchi-okima (so 
they call the governor-general), whose protection 
they laid claim to in case of any robbery or abuse 
committed upon them in the town. The spokes- 
man having made an end of his speech, returns to 
his place and takes up his pipe, and the interpreter 
explains the substance of the harangue to the gov- 
ernor, who commonly gives a very civil answer, 
especially if the presents be valuable, in consider- 
ation of which he likewise makes them a present 
of some trifling things. This done, the savages 
rise up and return to their huts, to make suitable 
preparation for the ensuing truck. 

" The next day the savages make their slaves 
carry the skins to the houses of the merchants, 
who bargain with them for such clothes as they 
want. All the inhabitants of Montreal are allowed 
to traffic with them in any commodity but rum and 
brandy, these two being excepted upon the account 
that when the savages have got what they want, 
and have any skins left, they drink to excess, and 
then kill their slaves ; for when they are in drink 
they quarrel and fight, and if they were not held 
by those who are sober, would certainly make hav- 
oc one of another. However, you must observe 
that none of them will touch either gold or silver. 
As soon as the savages have made an end of their 



94 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

truck, they take leave of the governor, and so re- 
turn home by the River Ottawas. To conclude, 
they do a great deal of good, both to the poor and 
rich, for you will readily apprehend that everybody 
turns merchant upon such occasions."* 

To the question what was the condition of the 
Northwest Territory when it was claimed and oc 
cupied by France, we can furnish a ready answer. 
It was a vast ranging-ground for the numerous In- 
dian tribes, who roamed over it in all the listless 
indolence of their savage independence ; of the 
Jesuit missionaries, who, under the garb of their 
religious orders, strove to gain the influence of the 
red men in behalf of their government as well as 
their Church, by their conversion to the Catholic 
faith ; the theatre of the most important military 
operations of the French soldiers at the West ; 
and the grand mart where the furs, which were 
deemed the most valuable products of this region, 
were collected for shipment to France, under a 
commercial system which was originally projected 
by the Cardinal de Richelieu. 

The condition of a country, although often in 
some measure modified by the nature of the cli- 
mate and the soil, is more generally founded upon 
the character of the people and that of its laws. 
This is clearly exhibited in the case of the North* 

» La Hontan's Voyages. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 95 

west ; for while that domain was rich in all the 
natural advantages that could be furnished by the 
soil, it was entirely barren of all those moral and 
intellectual fruits springing from bold and energet- 
ic character, directed by a free, enlightened, and 
wholesome system of jurisprudence. 
H 



96 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER IV. 

struggle between France and England for the Possession of 
the Country.— The Iroquois and Algonquins.— British Troops 
advance into Canada. — Battle of Quebec. — Death of "Wolfe 
and Montcalm. — British Detachment under Rogers takes 
Possession of Michigan. — Rogers traverses Lake Erie. — Poi> 
tiac makes his first Appearance. — Bellestre. — Surrender of 
Detroit. 

While the forests were thus reposing in the 
silence of nature, broken only by the peaceful op- 
erations of the fur-trade, more important events 
were transpiring beyond their eastern boundary. 
From the Atlantic to Quebec, France and England, 
who seemed to have transferred their hereditary 
hatred from the Old World to the New, had been 
long struggling to obtain undivided dominion over 
the northern portion of the latter. Backed by In. 
dian allies, who leagued themselves with one or 
the other, as they were influenced by caprice or 
a desire to prostrate some hostile tribe, these two 
great powers engaged in a desperate struggle for 
supremacy. The whole of Canada, Illinois, and 
the territory thence to the borders of the Missis, 
sippi were then claimed by the French, while the 
English occupied most of the country east of the 
Alleghany Mountains. 



THE INDIAN ALLIES. 97 

Both nations found efficient auxiliaries annong 
the Indian tribes. On the side of the EngHsh were 
the Iroquois, called by them the Six Nations. 
These combined tribes formed the most power- 
ful savage confederacy then existing on the Con- 
tinent. It consisted of the Onondagas, the Cayu- 
gas, the Senecas, the Oneidas, and the Mohawks, 
and in 1712 the Tuscaroras of North CaroUna 
were received -into the league. Their domain em- 
braced a very extensive tract of country, and from 
time to time it was enlarged by new conquests. 
They were robust and muscular, and delighted 
in ornamenting their persons with the finery so 
highly prized by the Indians, such as medals, 
ribands, the skins of wild beasts, and porcupine 
quills dyed of various colours. They . possessed 
great energy, decision, and perseverance, and, when 
excited, were remarkable for the force and elo- 
quence with which they spoke. Towards the west 
they claimed supremacy over the country as far as 
the Mississippi, and towards the northwest as far 
as Hudson's Bay ; in short, all that was not occu- 
pied by the Southern Indians, the Sioux, the Knis- 
teneaux, and the Chippewas.* Their affairs were 
conducted with more system than those of the more 
western tribes. Every year they held a grand 
council, consisting of representatives from each 

* Schoolcraft's Discourse. 



98 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

nation, at Onondaga, in the present state of New- 
York. Their youth were taught to bend the bow 
before their muscles were sufficiently strong to 
propel the arrow to its mark, and to grapple with 
the wild beasts of the forests as they wou.d with 
the French, or their enemies the Algonquins. The 
cause of their attachment to the English is not 
known ; but it was probably in part caprice, and 
partly a desire to overthrow the power of their 
rivals who have been mentioned. When their na- 
ked and painted warriors appeared on the edge of 
the forest, it was always a signal that mischief was 
at hand. " We are born free : we neither depend 
on Onondio nor Corlaer" (France nor England), 
said Haaskouan to De la Barre in 1684, and the 
course they pursued was the acting out of this dec- 
laration. 

The Algonquins, on the other hand, were the al- 
lies of the French. The territory of this nation 
extended from Lake Erie along the whole chain 
of the upper lakes to Lake Winnipeg and Hud- 
son's Bay on the north, and to the mouth of the 
Ohio River on the south. They were connected 
with the tribes immediately east of the St. Law- 
rence, and with those in the interior of New-Eng- 
land.* There were two powerful tribes, however, 
which were not connected with this league, the 
* Schoolcraft's Discourse. 



THE INDIAN ALLIES. 99 

Hurons and the Foxes. The Hurons were of Iro- 
quois origin, but, from causes which are not known 
they had severed from that confederacy, and taken 
part with the French ; while the Foxes, who were 
of the Algonquin race, sided with the English, 
The causes of the friendship entertained by the 
Algonquins residing on the borders of the lakes 
for the former are obvious. The French min- 
gled familiarly with them, and endeavoured by all 
possible means to secure their good-will. The 
traders visited their villages and took to them- 
selves Indian wives. The Jesuit missionaries 
erected chapels in their camps, presented to them 
sculptured images, styUng them their patron saints, 
held the crucifix before the dying, offered up their 
devotions with them before the picture of the Vir- 
gin, and planted the cross upon their graves. The 
French and Indians hunted together, lodged in the 
same wigwam, and drank from the same cup. On 
the contrary, the English were cold, distant, and 
forbidding in their manners : how, then, could the 
Algonquins be friendly to them, or how the ene- 
mies of the French? 

For a long time these savages had been sent out 
into the neighbouring wilderness to attack the fee- 
ble settlements upon their borders, and to bring 
back the scalps of their murdered victims. Many 
a spot was wetted with the blood of its unfortu- 



100 HISTORiT OF MICHIGAN. 

nate inhabitants, and many a red column of British 
regulars wavered before the rifles of the combined 
French and Indians, covered by some swamp, oi 
fighting from behind a breastwork of fallen trees 
The forests were often lighted up by the conflagra 
tion of burning villages, and the midnight solitude 
was startled by the shrieks of females under the 
tomahawk or scalping-knife, and mocked by hu- 
man fiends, whose horrid thirst for blood was no 
less insatiable than that of the wolves which howl- 
ed about their camps. 

It was at length determined by the British gov- 
ernment to make a powerful effort to possess them- 
selves of the French colonies. Both France and 
England, it will be recollected, claimed these c6un. 
tries on the same grounds : that is, original discov* 
ery, conquest, and appropriation. 

In 1757 the Earl of Chatham projected a cam- 
paign of a very formidable character against the 
French colonies, and the last gre.at struggle soon 
commenced. Twelve thousand British soldiers ar- 
rived in this country under the command of Gen- 
eral Amherst ; and, at the same time, bodies of 
rangers, trained to the mode of fighting peculiar to 
the French and Indians, and also to the hardships 
of the forest, or what was called the " woods ser- 
vice," were brought into the field under the com. 
mand of a citizen of New- Hampshire, Major 



WAR OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH. lOi 

Hobert Rogers^ to co-operate with the British reg- 
ulars and the colonial troops.* 

Numerous-positions having been occupied along 
the lake shorf 3 and the borders of the French col- 
onies, in 1Y59 It was determined to bring the ques- 
tion to a spcf Jy and decisive issue. It was pro- 
posed to divi-'e the English army into three parts, 
and to penefate to the very heart of Canada in 
three different directions, with a view to overthrow 
the French power at a single blow. Brigadier- 
general Wc-lfe, a young and gallant officer, was 
ordered to ascend the St. Lawrence and lay siege 
to Quebec. The duty assigned to General Am. 
herst was lo seize on Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point, anci thence to proceed by the way of Lake 
Champlaifi and the St. Lawrence River to Quebec, 
to co-operate with General Wolfe in the siege of 
that place. The third division of the army, under 
the command of General Prideaux, was destined to 
attack Niagara, and, after obtaining possession of 
it, to be embarked on Lake Ontario, and proceed 
against Montreal. If that city should surrender 
before Quebec, General Prideaux was to unite his 
forces with those of General Wolfe, under the 
walls of the latter. General Amherst, after making 
great exertions, was obliged to retire into winter- 
quarters without accomplishing his object. Gen- 
* Marshall. 



102 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

eral Prideaux, as he had been directed, advanced 
against Niagara, which was garrisoned by a body 
of French troops from Detroit, Venango, and 
Presque Isle, and succeeded in capturing that 
post.* 

The most difficult and important branch of the 
attack had been intrusted to Wolfe. The Eng- 
lish fleet, having on board eight thousand men, un- 
der the command of this general, soon reached the 
Island of Orleans, opposite to Quebec, in the St. 
Lawrence River. The French force amounted to 
nine thousand men. The English were led on by 
a young officer, whose war-cry, like that of Nel- 
son at a later period, was " Victory or Westmin- 
ster Abbey." The first attack made by him was 
upon Montmorenci, where his troops were landed 
under cover of a fire from the ships-of-war. Here 
at last, then, on the broad St. Lawrence, were un- 
furled the hostile banners of these great rival na- 
tions. The glory of the two crowns was at stake. 
The cross of England glowed brightly upon its 
crimson ground, amid martial music, and floating 
above thousands of muskets glittering in the beams 
of the morning sun. Nor was the French force 
wanting in the gallantry which distinguished their 
opponents. The lilies embroidered upon the folds 
of their flag were borne aloft in triumph above 
• Marshall. 



BATTLE OF QUEBEC. 103 

hearts as brave as ever beat in human bosoms. 
Tribes of savages were seen armed and paint- 
ed for the struggle which was to decide the desti- 
nies of these mighty rivals. The French force 
was commanded by a gallant and chivalrous offi- 
cer, the Marquis de Montcalm. Before them lay 
the great river of Canada ; beside them were the 
walls of Quebec, the stronghold of their power ; 
and at a distance were seen the Falls of Montmo- 
renci, glittering like a sheet of molten silver as they 
tumbled from the cliffs. 

The effective force under Montcalm consisted 
of about ten thousand men, and his position was 
defended by floating batteries and armed vessels. 
Wolfe, by way of stratagem, sailed nine miles up 
the river, in order to distract the attention of the 
French army ; when the French commander de- 
tached M. Bougainville with a strong force to that 
point, to prevent the English from landing. But 
about midnight the boats of the British ships floated 
silently down the St. Lawrence, and, being hailed 
by the French sentinels who were stationed on its 
>>anks with the cry of " Who comes there ?" the 
English, who knew their watchword, replied " La 
France,^^ and were suffered to proceed unmolested 
to their point of debarcation.* 

At about four o'clock in the morning the British 
* SmoUet. 



104 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

troops began to land, not having been discovered 
in their progress down the river. Soon after they 
commenced ascending the precipitous decHvity 
which leads to the Heights of Abraham. They 
were protected by two fieldpieces, and their front 
was covered by the Royal Americans, a corps 
raised in Nevv-York and New-England, as also by 
a reserve of one regiment, and the light infantry. 
They soon gained the heights and prepared for 
battle. The Marquis de Montcalm, the inoment 
he discovered the English troops in postession of 
these important heights, sallied from Beauport 
with only a single fieldpiece. The two hostile ar- 
mies soon met. The Canadian marksmen and In- 
dian allies, no less expert with the rifle, were de- 
tached by the French commander to conceal them- 
selves among the bushes and cornfields, from which 
they could most effectually annoy the enemy. 
The French troops advanced with great firmness, 
although composed for the most part of raw and 
undisciplined militia. As soon as they had reached 
within about two hundred yards of the British line, 
they commenced a sharp but irregular fire, sup- 
ported by the Indians and the Canadian marksmen, 
who with their rifles did great execution. But 
they were met by that unshaken courage and ob- 
stinate determination which are characteristic of 
British soldiers ; and the Scotch Highlanders, with 



BATTLE OF QUEBEC. 105 

their broadswords, making terrible havoc in their 
ranks, the French columns began to waver. Gen- 
eral Wolfe, in the commencement of the action, 
received a bullet in his wrist while gallantly lead- 
ing his men to the charge ; but, winding a hand- 
kerchief about the wound, he continued to fight on 
as though nothing had occurred. A second ball 
soon after struck him in the breast, and he fell. 
While leaning his head on the shoulder of one of 
his officers, he was startled from the lethargy of 
death by shouts from his ranks : " They fly ! they 
fly!" "Who fly?" he faintly inquired. "The 
French," was the reply. " Then," said he, " I die 
happy ;" and his spirit departed amid the thunders 
of the battle. The Marquis de Montcalm, the com- 
mander of the French army, was also mortahy 
wounded, and died a few days after the engage- 
ment. Monuments have been erected to these two 
heroes in the city of Quebec. The remains of the 
French army, retiring to Montreal, demanded a 
capitulation, which was granted. Accordingly, in 
November, 1760, articles of agreement were en- 
tered into between General Amherst and the Mar- 
quis de Vaudreuil, by which the latter surrendered 
to the crown of England Detroit, Michilimackinac, 
and all the posts within the governm-ent of Canada 
that Were in possession of the French. 

A few days after the signing of this capitulation, 



106 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



1' 



Major Rogers was detached by General Amherst, 
at the head of a competent force, to take posses- 
sion of the distant posts on the frontier, to admin- 
ister to the French inhabitants there the oath of 
allegiance, and effectually to establish the power 
of England in place of that of France. He was 
ordered to embark his troops in boats on Lake 
Erie, stopping on his way at Presque Isle, to make 
known to the officer of that post the instructions 
he had received. He was also the bearer of de- 
spatches to Brigadier-general Monkton, which he 
was to deliver, and receive from that officer his 
final orders as to the manner in which he should 
proceed to take possession of Detroit, Michilimack- 
inac, and the other French posts. Having accom- 
plished the objects of the expedition, he was to re- 
turn in compliance with the orders that might be 
given him by General Monkton, transport his boats* 
across the portage of Niagara Falls into Lake On- 
tario, where they were to be delivered into the 
hands of his commanding officer, and thence he 
was to march his detachment by land to Albany.* 
In obedience to these instructions. Major Rogers 
embarked the force assigned him in fifteen whale- 
boats at Montreal. On arriving at Fort Fronte- 
nac he met with a party of Indians who were out 
U|>on a hunting excursion, and communicated to 
* Rogers's Journal. 



ROGERS^S EXPEDITION. 107 

them the first news of the capitulation. They 
found these savages friendly, and were supplied by 
them with wiJd-fowl and venison. Soon after they 
fell in with another body of about fifty Indians, on 
a stream which flows into Lake Ontario, where 
they were taking salmon. They all appeared to 
be gratified with the intelligence that the French 
had surrendered the country. After arriving at 
Toronto, the detachment were not long in reach- 
ing Niagara, where they provided themselves with 
moccasins, blankets, and such other articles as 
were necessary for the expedition. Proceeding on 
their way to Detroit, they soon reached Presque 
Isle, from which point Rogers embarked in a ca- 
noe, and proceeded to the old site of Fort Du- 
quesne, now called Pittsburgh. Here he found 
Brigadier-general Monkton, and delivered to him 
the despatches he had brought from General Am- 
herst. A detachment of Royal Americans, or co. 
lonial troops, under Capt. Campbell, were marched 
from this post for the purpose of aiding him in so 
hazardous an expedition. At the same time, an 
officer was ordered to drive forty fat cattle from 
Presque Isle to Detroit, where it was supposed they 
would be wanted by the troops. Captain Wait 
was also sent back to Niagara for provisions, and 
directed on his return to coast along the northern 
shore of Lake Erie, and encamp about twenty 



108 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

miles cast of Detroit. Thus started the first Eng- 
lish military expedition that had ever ventured 
upon the western shore of Lake Erie, for the pur- 
pose of wresting from the French their possessions 
in these distant regions.* 

At this time appeared Pontiac, a chief who was 
destined to figure largely in the history of this 
territory at a subsequent period. His residence 
was Pechee Island, which looks out upon the wa- 
ters of Lake St. Clair, about eight miles above the 
city of Detroit. An Ottawa by birth, and belong- 
ing to a tribe which claimed to be the oldest in 
this quarter, he was greatly esteemed both by the 
English and French. Thus his influence was 
greater than that of any other individual among 
the lake tribes. His persond qualities, indeed, 
were such as to ensure respect ; and he possessed, 
moreover, hereditary claims to authority, accord- 
ing to the customs of the Indians. His form was 
cast in. the finest mould of savage grace and 
strength, and his eye seemed capable of penetra- 
ting at a glance the secret motives which actuated 
the tribes around him. Such was Pontiac, the da- 
ring chief who was about to dispute the English 
claims to the territory of the lakes. He could not 
endure the sight of this people driving the game 
from his hunting-grounds, and his old friends and 
* Rogers's Journal. 



PONTIAC APPEARS. 109 

allies, the French, from the lands they had so long 
possessed. Accordingly, when he was apprized 
that an English detachment was advancing along 
the lakes to take possession of the country, he 
could not restrain his indignation. Forthwith he 
despatched a body of Ottawas from Detroit, with 
a message to the English, who were then encamp- 
ed at the mouth of Chocage River, informing them 
that Pontiac, the king of the country where they 
were, was approaching, and requesting them to stop 
until he should arrive. Pontiac, on reaching the 
English camp, demanded of Rogers the business 
on which he had come, and how he dared to enter 
his country without his permission. Major Rogers 
replied that he had no design against the Indians, 
and that his only object was the removal of the 
French, who had hitherto been the means of pre- 
venting all friendly relations between his tribes 
and the English. Pontiac then gave him to un- 
derstand that he should stand in his path until the 
morning, and at the same lime presented him witli 
a small string of wampum, signifying that he for- 
bade the English detachment from advancing any 
farther without his permission. He also told Ma- 
jor Rogers that if he was in want of any food, he 
would send his warriors, and they should procure 
it for him.* 

* Rogers's Journal. 



110 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

A council having in the mean time been held, 
Pontiac made his appearance in the English camp 
the next morning, saying that he had the most 
friendly disposition towards the English, and he 
smoked the pipe of peace with their commander. 
At the same time, he informed Rogers that he 
would protect him against a party of Indians who 
had stationed themselves at the mouth of the De- 
troit River, and he sent also several of his warriors 
to assist Captain Brewer in bringing on the cattle 
which he was driving to Detroit. In addition to 
this, he despatched messengers to the Indians en- 
camped on the Detroit River, and to those on the 
north and west shores of Lake Erie, to inform 
them that he had given the English permission to 
pass through his territory ; and, still farther to 
evince his friendship, he supplied them with veni- 
son, wild turkeys, and several bags of parched 
corn.* 

Encamping at some distance from the mouth of 
the Detroit River, Rogers despatched the following 
letter to M. Bellestre, the French commandant at 
Detroit : 

" To Captain Bellestre, or the Officer commanding at 
Detroit. 
" Sir : — That you may not be alarmed at the ap. 
* Rogers's Journal. 



LETTER TO BELLESTRE. Ill 

proach of the English troops under my command 
when I come to Detroit, I send forward this by Lieut. 
Brheme, to acquaint you that I have General Am- 
herst's orders to take possession of Detroit and 
such other posts as are in that district, which, by 
capitulation agreed to and signed by Marquis de 
Vaudreuil and General Amherst, the 8th of Sep- 
tember last, now belong to Great Britain. I have 
with me the Marquis de Vaudreuil's letters to you, 
directed for your guidance on this occasion, which 
letters I shall deliver you when I am at or near 
your post, and shall encamp the troops I have with 
me at some distance from the fort, till you have 
reasonable time to be made acquainted with the 
Marquis de Vaudreuil's instructions and the capit- 
ulation, a copy of which I have with me likewise. 
" I am, sir, your humble servant, 

" Robert Rogers." 

After this he encamped with his detachment on 
a stream which empties into Lake Erie. Here he 
found a number of Huron chiefs, who inquired of 
him whether the reports which they had heard in 
regard to the surrender of the territory were true ; 
apprizing him, at the same time, that they had 
been sent out by M. Bellestre for the purpose of 
defending the country, and to obtain information 
as to the events which had transpired below 



H2 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Rogers confirmed the fact of the capitulation, and 
made a speech to the Hurons of the most concili- 
atory character ; after which he encamped at the 
west end of Lake Erie with his detachment. The 
next day he met with a party of Indians, who told 
him that Bellestre was " a strong man," and that 
he intended to fight the English. Not long after, 
sixty Indians, who said that they had come from 
Detroit the previous day, arrived at his camp. 
They offered to conduct the English detachment 
to that place, and informed Rogers that M. Brheme, 
who hud been sent by him with the letter, had been 
imprisoned by the French commandant.* 

While the En";lish were thus advancinfj towards 
Detroit, the French commandant was not idle. He 
had collected round his post numerous tribes of 
savages, and, knowing that they were strongly im- 
pressed by symbols, he had caused a pole to be 
erected, with the image of a man's head on the 
top, and upon this was placed a crow. He told 
the Indians that the head represented the English, 
and the crow himself, and that the meaning of it 
all was, that the French would scratch out the 
brains of their enemies. The Indians, however, 
would not believe it, and expressed their appiehen- 
sions that the reverse would be the fact, and that 
the English at Detroit would scratch out the brains 
of the French. 

* Rogers's Journal. 



ORRESPONDENCB WITH THE FRENCH. 113 

About this time Rogers received the following 
letter from the commandant of Detroit : 

" Sir : — I received the letter you wrote me by 
one of your officers, but, as I have no interpreter, 
cannot fully answer it. The officer that delivered 
me yours gives me to understand that he was sent 
to give me notice of your arrival to take possession 
of this garrison, according to the capitulation made 
in Canada; that you have likewise a letter from 
Monsieur Vaudreuil directed to me. I beg, sir, 
you will halt your troops at the entrance of the 
river till you send me the capitulation and the 
Marquis de Vaudreuil's letter, that I may act in 
conformity thereto, 

" I have the honour to be, &c., &c., 

" De Bellestre." 

Shortly after, on the 25th of November, the 
English commander received the letter inserted 
below from M. Bellestre : 

" Detroit, 25th Nov., 1760. 
" Sir : — I have already, by Mr. Barrager, ac- 
quainted you with the reasons why I could not 
answer particularly the letter which was delivered 
me the 22d instant by the officer you sent to me. 
I am entirely unacquainted with the reasons of 
his not returning to you. I sent my Huron inter. 



114 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

preter to that nation, and told him to stop them 
should they be on the road, not knowing positively 
whether they were inclined to favour you or us ; 
and to tell them from me they should behave 
peaceably ; that I knew what I owed to my gen- 
eral, and that, when the capitulation should be set- 
tled, I was obliged to obey. The said interpreter 
has orders to wait on you and deliver you this. 

*' Be not surprised, sir, if along the coast you find 
the inhabitants upon their guard. It was told them 
you had several Indian nations with you, to whom 
you had promised permission to plunder ; nay, that 
they were even resolved to force you to it. I have 
therefore allowed the said inhabitants to take to 
their arms, as it is for your safety and preserva- 
tion as well as ours ; for, should those Indians be- 
come insolent, you may not, perhaps, in your pres- 
ent situation, be able to subdue them alone. 

" I flatter myself, sir, that, as soon as this shall 
come to hand, you will send me, by some of the 
gentlemen you have with you, both the capitula- 
tion and Monsieur de Vaudreuil's letter 

" I have the honour to be, sir, 

" Your very humble and obedient servant, 
"De Bellestre." 

After advancing five miles farther up the De* 
troit River, Rogers the next day sent a second let- 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE FRENCH. 115 

ter, of which the following is a copy, by Captain 
Campbell : 

"Sir : — I acknowledge the receipt of your two let- 
ters, both of which were delivered to me yesterday. 
Mr. Brheme has not yet returned. The enclosed 
letter from the Marquis de Vaudreuil will inform 
you of the surrender of all Canada to the King of 
Great Britain, and of the great indulgence granted 
to the inhabitants, as also of the terms granted to 
the troops of his most Christian majesty. Capt. 
Campbell, whom I have sent forward with this let- 
ter, will show you the capitulation. I desire you 
will not detain him, as 1 am determined, agreeable 
to my instructions from General Amherst, speedily 
to relieve your post. I shall stop the troops 1 
have with me at the hither end of the town till 
four o'clock, by which time I expect your answer. 
Your inhabitants will not surprise me : as yet, I 
have seen no other in that position but savages 
waiting for my orders. I can assure you, sir, the 
inhabitants of Detroit shall not be molested, they 
and you complying with the capitulation, but be 
protected in the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of 
their estates ; neither shall they be pillaged by my 
Indians, nor by yours that have joined me. 

" I am, &c., Robert Rogers 

•' To Captain Bellestre, ) 
Commanding at Detroit." $ 



116 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Afier despatching this letter he pushed his boats 
up the Detroit River to within half a mile of the 
fort, and encamped his detachment in a field. 

The English camp was soon visited by Captain 
Campbell and a French officer, who presented to 
Major Rogers M. Bellestre's compliments, stating 
that he was instructed by that officer to inform 
him that the post had been surrendered. Lieu- 
tenant Lefflie and M'Cormick were then sent 
with thirty.six Royal Americans, who immediately 
took possession of the fort ; when the Indians, to 
the number of seven hundred, who had been col- 
lected there by the French commander, set up a 
tremendous yell, exulting that their prophecy con- 
cerning the crow had been verified. 

Major Rogers now formally took possession of 
this important post, receiving at the same time a 
plan of the fort, and a list of the warlike and other 
stores. The French commandant and the troops 
forming the garrison were placed under the charge 
of Lieutenant Holmes, with thirty Rangers, to be 
conducted to Philadelphia. Twenty men were also 
sent to escort the French soldiers from the posts 
of Miami and Gatanois, and the command of the 
fort was given to Captain Campbell. Rogers, 
having made a treaty with the neighbouring In- 
dians, set out with a party to Lake Huron for the 
purpose of taking possession of Michilimackinac ; 



SURRENDER OF DEltvOIT. 117 

but the ice in the lake so obstructed his passage 
that he could not proceed by water, and the In- 
dians told him that it would be impossible for him 
to reach that place by land without snow-shoes. 
Accordingly, having replaced the ammunition and 
stores which he had taken with him at Detroit, 
he left that post on the 21st of November, 1760, 
after intrusting to Captain Campbell its command. 
With the change of jurisdiction thus effected, anew 
scene will now open upon us.* 

* Rogers's Jouru&L 



118 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER V. 

Condition of the Territory under the English. — Pontiac forms a 
Confederacy to attacli the English Posts.— War breaks out. 
— Siege of Detroit.— Battle of Bloody Bridge.— Indians as- 
semble around Michilimackinac. — Minavavana — Alexander 
Henry — Wawatam. — Michilimackinac destroyed.— General 
Bradstreet arrives. — Peace concluded. — Death of Pontiac. 

No material change took place in the condition 
of the country in consequence of its surrender to 
the English. The capitulation of Montreal per 
mitted the French emigrants-to remain in the ter- 
ritory, and to enjoy undisturbed their civil and re- 
ligious rights. Agriculture was no more encour- 
aged than before, and the same general plan con- 
tinned to be pursued in conducting the fur-trade. 
No land was allowed to be purchased directly of 
the Indians, nor were the English commandants, 
styled governors, permitted to make any grants of 
land except within certain prescribed limits. The 
settlements of the French, however, continued to 
extend, and their long, narrow farms, surraimdcd 
by pickets, and fronted by houses of bark or logs, 
and their roofs thatched with straw, were seen 
stretching along the banks of all the principal 
streams. There were as yet no schools, and the 



INDIAN SUBTLETY. 119 

instruction of the children continued to be confided 
entirely to the Catholic priests.* Before that time 
peltries had constituted almost the only medium of 
traffic, but now English coin began to be intro- 
duced. Horses were for a long time unknown at 
Detroit, the first having been brought there, it is 
said, from Fort Duquesne, after Braddock's defeat. f 

Although the EngUsh had acquired possession 
of the country, it had been against the will of the 
Indians. The dtfsign of Pontiac probably was to 
lead the English into his territory only that he 
might have a better opportunity to destroy them. 
He believed that it was their intention to drive him 
from his lands, and he therefore considered them 
as dangerous intruders. His spacious domain, its 
waters abounding with fish and its woods with 
game, had now fallen into the hands of a people 
whom he had always looked upon as his enemy. 
Some of the Indians had been struck by the Brit- 
ish ofiicers in the garrison, an indignity which their 
savage natures could not endure, and they readily 
joined with their chief to expel these hated stran- 
gers from their country. 

Pontiac was not long in circulating war-belts 
among all the principal tribes on the borders of the 
lakes, and he formed a chain of operations extend- 

* Manuscript Journals from Detroit. 
t See Manuscript Journals. 



120 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

ing more than a thousand miles along their waters. 
He flattered himself that, if the British garrisons 
could be destroyed or driven away, he should after- 
ward be able effectually to defend the country against 
farther intrusion by means of his own strength, 
combined with that of his savage allies. A grand 
council of the Indians was accordingly soon as- 
sembled at the River Aux Ecorce, and Pontiac ad- 
dressed them in person. He told them that it was 
the design of the English to drive the Indians from 
their country, and that they were their natural and 
inveterate enemies. He also assured them that 
the Great Spirit had appeared to a Delaware In- 
dian in a dream, and thus addressed him : *' Why 
do you suffer these dogs in red clothing" (the Eng- 
lish) " to enter your country and take the land I 
gave you ? Drive them from it ; and then, when 
you are in distress, I will help you." He also ex- 
hibited to them a war-belt, which he said the French 
king had sent over from France, ordering them to 
drive out the British, and make way for the return 
of the French.* 

The shores of the lakes were soon alive with 
bodies of Indian warriors, who had abandoned their 
hunting-grounds and camps, and were repairing to 
the posts on the frontier. Among these were seen 
the Ottawas, the Chippewas, the Miamis, the Pot- 
* Cass. 



PONTIAC ATTACKS DETROIT. 121 

tawatamies, the Missisagas, the Shawanese, the Ot- 
tagamies, and the Winnebagoes, besides parties 
from numerous other tribes. At about the same 
time they attacked the Forts of Le Boeuf, Venan- 
go, Presque Isle, Michilimackinac, St. Joseph, Mi- 
ami, Green Bay, Ouiatonon, Pittsburgh, and San- 
dusky. Their mihtary operations, indeed, extend- 
ed along the entire line of the waters of the lower 
lakes.* 

This general and simultaneous attack was maae 
in the month of May, 1763, and was so sudden and 
wholly unexpected that the garrisons were all ta- 
ken by surprise. Detroit was then the most im- 
portant station upon the lakes, and was garrisoned 
by one hundred and twenty-two men and eight of- 
ficers, Major Gladwin being the commandant. 
Three rows of pickets surrounded the fort in the 
form of a square. Most of the houses of the French 
were situated within these pickets, that they might 
be protected by the guns of the fort. The inhab- 
itants were provided with arms and ammunition 
Within the pickets there was also a circular space, 
which was named by the French Le chemin du 
Ronde, from its being a place of deposite for arms ; 
and over the gates of the fort, and at each of its 
corners, there were small dwellings. The town 
was defended in front by an armed schooner named 
* See Cass. 



122 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the Beaver, moored in the river, which at this point 
is about three quarters of a mile wide. The post 
commanded the great channel of communication 
from Lake Michigan to Buffalo and Pittsburgh ; 
its possession, therefore, was an object of great im- 
portance ; and Pontiac, who was the chief director 
of the confederacy, undertook its reduction in per- 
son.* 

His plan was one which strikingly exhibits the 
cunning which is so characteristic of the Indians. 
He intended to take the fort by surprise ; and for 
this purpose he ordered a party of his warriors to 
saw off their rifles so short that they could conceal 
them under their blankets, and under a feigned 
pretence to gain admission into the fort, and mas- 
sacre the garrison. To carry out his design, he 
encamped at a short distance from the post, and 
sent word to the commandant that he was desirous 
of holding a council with him, that " they might 
brighten the chain of peace." On the evening of 
that day, an Indian woman, by the name of Catha- 
rine, brought to Major Gladwin a pair of mocca- 
sins which she had been employed to make for 
him, and he was so much pleased with them that 
he gave her an elk.skin, and told her to take it 
home and make from it several pairs more. She 
took the skin, but continued to linger about the gaie 
♦ Cass. 



SIEGE OF DETROIT. 123 

of the fort as if her business were unfinished ; and 
the singularity of her conduct attracted attention. 
Major Gladwin accordingly ordered her to be call- 
ed back, and inquired of her why she did not has- 
ten home, that she might finish the moccasins 
by the time he had required them to be done. 
The woman remarked that she did not like to take 
the skin away, as he seemed to prize it so much, 
since she feared " she could never bring it back.^^ 
Her mind seemed to be struggling with some se- 
cret, and, after being pressed, she developed the 
whole plot. Major Gladwin immediately ordered 
the guards to be doubled, and sentinels to be sta- 
tioned on the ramparts. 

As night approached, fires were seen in the In- 
dian camp, and their war-songs were distinctly 
heard, so that the English commandant was con- 
vinced that something important was contemplated 
by them, and that the woman had told the truth, 
as the savages always excite themselves in this 
manner preparatory to any great enterprise they 
are about to undertake. 

The next morning, according to previous ar- 
rangement, Pontiac and his warriors repaired to 
the fort. As he was advancing, he noticed that 
there was an unusual number of soldiers upon the 
ramparts, and that the officers all had pistols m 
their belts. Having entered the council-house, or 



124 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the place assigned for the meeting, he opened the 
discussion with a speech, in which he made great 
professions of friendship for the EngUsh. As the 
time approached when, as the woman had stated, 
the belt was to be delivered, and a fire upon the 
garrison commenced, his gestures became more 
vehement. At this moment the governor and his 
officers drew their swords, and the English sol- 
diers made a clattering upon the ground with their 
muskets : Pontiac himself was now the party sur- 
prised, but he continued perfectly calm and un- 
moved. 

The commandant soon commenced his reply, 
but, instead of thanking the chief for his profes- 
sions of friendship, he charged him with being a 
traitor, and, to convince him of his knowledge of 
the plot, he stepped forward to the Indian who sat 
on his skin nearest to him, and, opening his blan- 
ket, exposed the shortened rifle. At the same 
time, addressing himself to the warriors, he told 
them instantly to leave the fort, as his men, should 
they discover their treachery, would show them no 
mercy. He also assured them that they would be 
permitted to go out in safety, as he had promised 
them his protection.* 

The warriors accordingly sallied out of the fort ; 
but, as soon as they had passed the gates, they 
* Cass. 



SIEGE OF DETROIT. 125 

turned about and fired upon the garrison. They 
then proceeded to the commons, where they mur- 
dered an English woman who resided there, and, 
horrid to relate, cooked and feasted upon her re- 
mains. After this they went to Isle de Cochon 
(Hog Island), and barbarously destroyed a whole 
family. 

The savages had now sufficiently evinced their 
hostile intentions. Collecting around the fort, they 
fired upon the garrison from the nearest houses, 
and even from behind the pickets. Measures were 
soon taken, however, to burn such buildings as they 
could avail themselves of for this purpose, by throw- 
ing shells. But, as soon as the shells fell, the sava- 
ges ran up to them, with loud yells, and extinguish- 
ed the matches before they had time to explode. 
Still, in spite of all their efforts to prevent it, the 
buildings were soon demolished, and the Indians 
then withdrew to a low ridge which overlooked the 
pickets, and from this they kept up a constant fire 
upon the fort.* 

Although Pontiac, as the acknowledged head of 
the confederacy, was the leader in the attack upon 
Detroit, he was aided by several chiefs, who had 
placed themselves under his direction. Among 
these were the Ottawa chiefs Mahigam, or the 
Wolf> Wahunemay, or the White Sturgeon, Kitta^ 
* Cass. 



126 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

comsi, and Agouchiois ; and the Chippewa chiefii 
Pashguois, Gayashque, Wasson, and Macatay-was- 
son. 

The influence of Pontiac had for a long time 
been very great, not only with the French, but also 
with the remotest tribes upon the borders of the 
lakes. In 1746 he defended Detroit against a 
combined force under Mackinac, the Turtle, aided 
by a portion of his own tribe, the Ottawas. While 
he was thus assisting the French, they were no less 
warm in their attachment to their allies. " When 
the French arrived at these falls" (the Sault de Ste. 
Marie), said a Chippewa chief, " they came and 
kissed us. They called us children, and we found 
them fathers. We lived like brethren in the same 
lodge. They never mocked our ceremonies ; they 
never molested the places of our dead. Seven gen- 
erations have passed away, but we have not for- 
gotten it. Just, very just, were they towards us." 

The siege of Detroit by Pontiac continued. 
Sometimes blazing arrows were launched from the 
bows of his warriors upon the Chapel for the pur- 
pose of burning it ; and this they would have ef- 
fected had they not been deterred from farther at- 
tempts by a Jesuit, who persuaded them that such 
an a2t would call down the vengeance of the Great 
Spirit. A breach was now attempted to be made 
in the pickets, and in this Major Gladwin co-op- 



SIEGE OF DETROIT. 127 

erated with them, by ordering his men to cut 
them away from the inside, so that it was soon ac- 
complished ; but no sooner was it filled with the 
Indians than a small brass cannon, which had been 
brought to bear upon this point, was discharged 
upon them, and made terrible havoc. After this the 
fort was simply blockaded and its supplies cut off, 
by which means great suffering was occasioned to 
the garrison. Among the killed on the side of 
the English was Sir Robert Devers, whose body 
was boiled and eaten by the savages. Captain 
Robertson experienced a similar fate, and of the 
skin of one of his arms a tobacco-pouch was made. 
Major Campbell, it will be recollected, had been 
appointed to the command of the fort by Major 
Rogers, and it was a great point with the savages 
to get possession of the person of tbis officer, as he 
was much esteemed, not only by the French and 
English, but by the Indians also, for his chivalrous 
character, and, therefore, the more valuable as a 
hostage. Pontiac accordingly solicited an inter- 
view with this officer, that, as he stated, " they 
might smoke the pipe of peace together." Two 
French citizens recommended this interview, and 
were, in fact, made the agents of Pontiac to effect 
it. The Indian chief, in the mean time, solemnly 
promised that the English commandant should be 
permitted to return in safety to the fort. The pro- 
K 



128 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

posal was acceded to ; but no sooner had Pontiac 
got his enemy into his hands, than his promise was 
entirely forgotten, and he told him that his life 
even should not be spared but on the condition that 
the fort was surrendered. The conduct of Pontiac 
in this transaction had been such as to destroy all 
confidence in his word. The fate of this brav« 
and generous officer was truly melancholy. An 
Ottawa chief had been killed in the siege of Mich- 
ilimackinac, and his nephew hastened to Detroit 
to seek for revenge. Here meeting with Major 
Campbell, he instantly killed him with a blow of 
his tomahawk. The murderer fled to Saginaw to 
escape the vengeance of Pontiac* 

The Beaver, the armed vessel to which allusion 
has been made, had been sent to Niagara for the 
purpose of hastening the arrival of a re-enforce- 
ment of men, and to procure a supply of provisions. 
Lieutenant Cuyler, with ninety. seven men, was 
sent from that post with supplies, and, apprehend- 
ing no danger, they had landed at Point Pelee and 
encamped. Here they were discovered by the In- 
dians, and at dawn the next morning they were at- 
tacked, and the whole party either cut off or taken 
prisoners, with the exception of one officer and 
thirty men, who succeeded in gaining a barge, in 
which they crossed Lake Erie and reached San- 
* Cass. 



SIEGE OF DETROIT. 129 

dusky Bay. The savages placed their prisoners 
on board the boats, and compelled them to manage 
them, escorting them in triumph to Detroit, along 
the Canadian bank of the river. When they were 
near this place, four British soldiers determined to 
make their escape, and for this purpose changed 
the course of the boat they were in, setting up at 
the same time a loud cry. After some resistance 
their Indian guards leaped overboard, one of them 
dragging a soldier along with him, and they both 
were drowned. The remaining three were now 
fired on by the Indians in the other boats, and also 
by those on the bank of the river, though without 
any other effect than wounding one of their num- 
ber. In the mean time, the armed schooner on 
the Detroit side opened a fire upon the savages, 
which dispersed their boats, and likewise the guard 
upon the opposite shore. The rest of the pris- 
oners were taken by the Indians to Hog Island, and 
there put to death.* 

The French residents themselves did not escape 
wholly unharmed amid these scenes of savage vio- 
lence. Maintaining a neutral position in the war, 
they were regarded with no little jealousy by their 
former allies of the Algonquin race. Their houses 
were in several instances broken open, and their 
cattle plundered by Pontiac's warriors, though the 
* Cass. 



130 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Ottawa chief gave to the sufferers certificates of 
indemnity for all such losses, formed of pieces of 
bark, on which was drawn the figure of an otter, 
the emblem of his tribe, and these pledges were all 
faithfully redeemed at a subsequent period.* 

The savages, finding that all their attempts to 
destroy the fort were unavailing, endeavoured to 
engage the French in the alliance ; and for this 
purpose Pontiac assembled a council of his war- 
riors and of the French inhabitants at the River 
Aux Ecorce, on which occasion he addressed to 
them the following speech : 

" My Brothers : — I have no doubt that this war 
is very troublesome to you, and that my warriors, 
who are continually passing and repassing through 
your settlements, frequently kill your cattle and 
injure your property. I am sorry for it, and 
hope you do not think I am pleased with this con- 
duct of my young men ; and, as a proof of my 
friendship, remember the war you had seventeen 
years ago (1746), and the part I took in it. The 
Northern nations combined together and came to 
destroy you. Who defended you ? Was it not 
myself and my young men ? The great chief 
Machinac (the Turtle) said in council that he would 
carry to his native village the head of your chief 
warrior, and that he would eat his heart and drink 
* Drake. 



SIEGE OF DETROIT. 131 

his blood. Did I not then join you, and go to his 
camp and say to him, that if he wished to kill the 
French, he must pass over my body and the bodies 
of my young men ? Did I not take up the toma- 
hawk with you? aid you in fighting your battles 
with Mackinac, and in driving him home to his 
country ? Why do you think 1 would turn my 
arms against you ? Am I not the same French 
Pontiac who assisted you seventeen years ago? I 
am a Frenchman, and I wish to die a French- 
man. 

"My brothers," continued Pontiac, throwing a 
war-belt into the midst of the council, " I begin to 
grow tired of this bad meat which is upon our lands, 
but I see that this is not your case ; for, instead of 
assisting us in our war with the English, you are 
actually assisting them. I have already told you, 
and I now tell you again, that when I undertook 
this war, it was only your interest I sought, and 
that I knew what I was about. I yet know what 
I am about. This year they must all perish : the 
Master of Life so orders it. His will is known to 
us, and we must do as he says. And you, my 
brothers, who know him better than we do, wish 
to oppose his wiil. Until now I have avoided ur. 
ging you upon this subject, in the hope that, if you 
could not aid, you would not injure us. I did not 
wish to ask you to fight with us against the English, 



jS2 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

and I did not believe that you would take part with 
them. You will say you are not with them. I 
know it ; but your conduct amounts to the same 
thing. You tell them all we do, and you carry our 
counsels and plans to them. Now take your 
choice. You must be entirely French, like our- 
selves, or entirely English. If you are French, 
take this belt for yourselves and for your young 
men, and join us. If you are English, we declare 
war against you." 

Previous to this, and on the third of June, 17G3, 
news had been received of the conclusion of peace 
between France and England; and one of the 
French inhabitants, holding up a copy of the trea- 
ty in answer to this harangue, replied, *' My broth- 
er, you see that our arms are tied by our great 
father, the King of France : untie this knot, and 
we will join you ; but, till that is done, we shall sit 
quietly on our mats." 

The vessel which had been despatched to Niag- 
ara now returned with a supply of provisions and 
arms. To prevent her reaching the fort, a great 
number of Indians had left the siege and repaired 
to Fighting Island, a short distance below. After 
annoying her from their canoes at the mouth of 
the river, they at length resolved to get possession 
of her by boarding, and were approaching her with 
all their force for that purpose, when she opened 



SIEGE OF DETROIT. 133 

upon them a destructive fire, which wounded and 
killed a large number, and put the rest to flight. 
She then dropped dcwn the river to wait for a fair 
wind, and a few days afterward reached Detroit 
without farther molestation.* 

Pontiac now endeavoured to destroy the vessels 
which were anchored opposite to the fort, as they 
greatly aided in its defence. He for this purpose 
demolished the barns of several of the French set- 
tlers, and from the materials, which were of a res- 
inous nature and perfectly dry, he constructed 
rafts, and, setting them on fire, committed them to 
the current of the river, which is here quite rapid, in 
the expectation that they would float down against 
them and burn them. The English, however, per- 
ceiving his object, anchored small boats above the 
vessels, fastened to each other with iron chains, to 
intercept and turn away these dangerous masses, 
in which they were perfectly successful, and the 
blazing rafts passed harmlessly by. 

It was not long, however, before efficient aid 
was received by the English garrison. A flee* 
of gun-boats made its appearance, strongly arm- 
ed, and having on board a detachment of three . 
hundred regular troops, under the command of 
Captain Dalyell, one of the aids of Sir Jeflry Am- 
herst. Supposing that Pontiac might be surprised 
* Cass. 



134 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

in his camp, they landed a force of two hundred 
and forty-seven men, and marched up the river 
with that object. But this chief, apprized of their 
intentions, had removed his women and children, 
and prepared for a vigorous defence. A party of 
his warriors were concealed behind the pickets of 
the neighbouring farms, others lay hid in the long 
prairie grass, which grew here to a great height, 
and others, again, were concealed behind heaps of 
wood. The British force had no sooner reached 
the point now called Bloody Bridge, than they re- 
ceived a destructive fire from the rifles of the sav- 
ages. For a moment their columns wavered, as 
their commander. Captain Dalyell, had fallen at the 
first discharge ; but, soon rallying, they fought with 
great bravery, cuid charged upon the enemy with 
the bayonet. The Indians, however, without being 
seen, continued to pour forth a destructive fire upon 
the English, and could only be dislodged from their 
places of concealment by driving them from house 
to house and from field to field. Perceiving that 
their numbers were diminishing, and that they 
were fighting under great disadvantages, the Eng- 
lish now commenced a retreat to the fort, protect- 
ed by the armed gunboats, after a loss of nineteen 
men killed and forty-two wounded.* 

While these scenes were passing at Detroit, 
* Drake. 



FORT Of MICHILIMACKINAC. 135 

events of a if ill more tragical character were ta- 
king place on the upper lakes. Michilimackinac, 
which is distant nearly four hundred miles from 
Detroit, has been already described. This fort 
was surrounded with pickets of cedar, and its 
stockade was washed by the waves of the strait. 
At that time the fort was protected by several 
pieces of brass cannon, taken from the trading- 
posts of Hudson's Bay. There was a chapel in 
which mass was regularly performed by a Jesuit 
missionary. At this post there were about thirty 
families, and it was garrisoned by ninety-three 
men. The savages here were still more inveterate 
in their hostility to the EngUsh than at Detroit. 
Alexander Henry, the English trader, had been 
obliged to wear the garb of a coureur des bois on 
his way to that post, where there were then but 
four English merchants residing. The hostile dis- 
position of the savages was, indeed, clearly mani- 
fested on his first arrival. He had been there but 
a very short time when he was visited by a body 
of Chippewas, painted and dressed in the most 
warlike style, with feathers thrust through their 
noses. Their chief, Minavavana, thus addressed 
him :* 

"Englishman, it is to you that I speak, and I 
demand your attention. 

* Henry. 
L 



136 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

"Englishman, you know that the French king 
is our father ; he promised to be such, and v/e, in 
return, promised to be his children : this promise 
we have kept. 

" Englishman, it is you that have made war with 
this our father. You are his enemy, and how, then, 
could you have the boldness to venture among us 
his children ? You know that his enemies are ours. 

" Englishman, we are informed that our father, 
the King of France, is old and infirm, and that, 
being fatigued with making war upon your nation, 
he has fallen asleep. During this sleep you have 
taken advantage of him, and possessed yourselves 
of Canada. But his nap is almost at an end : I 
think I hear him already stirring, and inquiring for 
his children the Indians ; and when he does awake, 
what must become of you ? He will destroy you 
utterly. 

" Englishman, although you have conquered the 
French, you have not yet conquered us. We are 
not your slaves. These lakes, these woods and 
mountains, are left to us by our ancestors ; they 
are our inheritance, and we will part with them to 
none. Your nation supposes that we, like the 
white people, cannot live without bread, and pork, 
and beef, but you ought to know that He, the Great 
Spirit and Master of Life, has provided food for us 
in these spacious lakes and on these wooded 
mountains. 



SPEECH OF MINAVAVANA. 137 

"Englishman, our father, the King of France, 
employed our young men to make war upon your 
nation. In this war many of them have been 
killed, and it is our custom to retaliate until such 
time as the spirits of the slain are satisfied. But 
the spirits of the slain are only to be satisfied in 
one of two ways : the first is by spilling the blood 
of the nation by which they fell ; the other, by 
covering the bodies of the dead, and thus allaying 
the resentment of their relations. This is done by 
making presents. 

"Englishman, your king has never sent us any 
presents, nor entered into any treaty with us, 
wherefore he and we are still at war ; and, while he 
does these things, we must consider that we have 
no other father or friend among the white people 
than the King of France. But for you, we have 
taken into consideration that you have ventured 
among us in the expectation that we should not 
molest you. You do not come armed with an 
intention to make war. You come in peace to 
trade with us, and supply us with necessaries of 
which we are much in want. We shall regard 
you, therefore, as a brother, and you may sleep 
tranquilly, without fear of the Chippewas. As a 
token of our friendship, we present you this pipe 
to smoke." 

But, although no attack was made upon hin>, it 



138 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN 

was perceived that the spirit of the savages was 
anything but friendly. He was afterward visited 
by a chief who was at the head of a party of Ot- 
tawa warriors, who also made him a speech, and 
compelled him to deliver a part of his goods to the 
Indians on a credit. 

Thus affairs were here speedily coming to a cri- 
sis. The warriors in the wilderness around this 
post had also received from Pontiac the war-belt, 
and were now busy in collecting their bands for 
the purpose of joining his confederacy, the object 
of which was to blot out the English power from 
the territory bordering on the lakes. No serious 
suspicions were awakened at Michilimackinac. al- 
though large bodies of Indians had been noticed col- 
lecting around the post, some of them apparently 
for the purpose of purchasing European merchan- 
dise, trinkets, and silver ornaments which Henry 
had for sale, but for the most part without any 
apparent object. 

On the seventh of June, Wawatam, a Chippewa 
chief, called on this trader, who had recently come 
from the Sault de Ste. Marie, telling him that he 
was sorry that he had left the Sault, and requesting 
that he would go back with him to that post the fol- 
lowing day. He also desired to know if Major Eth- 
eringlon had not received some bad news ; for, 
said he, " I have been disturbed with the noise of 



ATTACK UPON MICHILIMACKINAC. 139 

evil birds."* The following day he repeated his 
request, and urged his suspicions anew. The tra- 
der conceived it to be his duty to inform Major 
Etherington of what had taken place; but, unfor- 
tunately, this officer paid no attention to it, consider- 
ing it as mere idle apprehension. 

The number of the savages having greatly in- 
creased, it was proposed the next day to celebrate 
the anniversary of the king's birth by a game 
which is called Baggatiway. This is a common 
game among the Indians, and is played with bats 
and ball. A ball is placed in the centre of an open 
piece of ground ; the players divide themselves into 
two parties, and a struggle then takes place be- 
tween them to knock the ball to the post of the op 
posite party. It had been agreed among the sav- 
ages to throw the ball, as if by accident, over the 
pickets ; and, when this had been done, to rush af- 
ter it, possess themselves of the fort, and massacre 
the garrison.* 

The game was accordingly commenced, and 
Major Etherington, who was present as a specta- 
tor, laid a wager on the success of the Chippewas, 
the greater part of the garrison being at the same 
time collected outside the fort to witness the sport. 
Suddenly the ball, according to their previous un- 
derstanding, was thrown over the pickets, and, as 
* Henry, 



140 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

appeared very natural, the Indians all rushed afte? 
it. But almost instantly the war-cry of the sava- 
ges rose from the interior of the fort, and a dread- 
ful scene commenced. The trader, who had been 
prevented from being present at the game, hearing 
the tumult without, and finding the savages, about 
four hundred in number, in possession of the post, 
crawled over a low fence which separated his 
house from that of M. Langlade, a French Cana- 
dian, and entreated him to afford him some place 
of concealment. But Langlade, shrugging up his 
shoulders, hastily turned away from the window 
where he had been looking out, coolly saying that he 
knew of no such place. At this moment a Pawnee 
slave belonging to Langlade beckoned to Henry to 
come to a door which she pointed out to him, con- 
ducted him to the garret of the house, and, having 
concealed him there, locked the door and took 
away the key. 

Henry gazed through the crevices of the wall 
upon the scene below, and it was a scene of horror. 
A great number of the English soldiers lay dead 
around the fort ; some were seen struggling be- 
tween the knees of the savages, who were scalping 
them while yet alive. Others were cut in pieces, 
and their blood was drank by the warriors from the 
hollows of their hands joined together, while they 
were shrieking most hideously, like so many de- 



ATTACK UPON MICHILIMACKINAC. 141 

mons. At length there was a profound silence, an 
awful stillness, which denoted that, for want of 
more victims, the work of death was done.* 

The Indians now gathered about the house of 
Langlade, and asked him if any of the English had 
taken shelter there. Langlade replied that none 
had to his knowledge, but that they might examine 
for themselves. Two or three of the savages com- 
ing to the garret door, demanded the key, and, un- 
locking it, went in 

By this time Henry had concealed himself be- 
hind a heap of birch-bark vessels which were used 
in the making of maple-sugar, where the dark col- 
our of his clothes, aided by the absence of light in 
the room, prevented him from being seen, so that 
the Indians, satisfying themselves that there was 
no one there, soon went away. There was a mat 
in the room, and Henry, laying himself down on 
it, soon fell asleep. It was not long, however, be- 
fore he was awakened by the wife of Langlade, 
who informed him that most of the English had 
been despatched, but that he might hope to escape. 
The shades of night now came on, and the trader 
sought again in slumber to forget the horrors of the 
scene. 

He was not, however, so easily to escape. Lang- 
lade's wife, notwithstanding the encouragement she 
* Henry. 



142 HISTORY OF MrHIGAN. 

had held out to him, determined to make known 
his place of concealment, saying that the Indians 
would murder her if the trader was found secreted 
in her house. Accordingly, she took the key and 
gave it to Wenniway, a chief of the most hideous 
appearance. This warrior was more than six feet 
in height, and his naked body was painted all over 
with a mixture of grease and charcoal, as was hii. 
face, with the exception of a circular ring around 
each of his eyes.* Accompanied by a body of 
savages, he entered the garret, and approaching 
the trembling trader, grasped him by the collar, 
and fixing his eyes steadfastly upon him, raised 
his knife as if about to plunge it into his breast; 
but, suddenly checking himself, he dropped the fa- 
tal weapon and said, *' I won't kill you. I have 
lost a brother whose name is Musinigon. You 
shall be called after him." 

But the sufferings of the trader were not yet at 
an end. He was stripped of his clothes and carried 
to L'Arbre a Croche as a prisoner. Here, how- 
ever, his friend Wawatam, faithful to his promise 
of protection, appeared in his behalf, ransomed 
him, and accompanied the trader to the island of 
Mackinaw, where he concealed him from a band 
of drunken savages in what is now called the Scul) 
Rock. 

» Henry. 



CLOSE 9F THE WAR. 143 

The fort of Michilimackinac was now burned 
1,0 the ground. Seventy of the EngUsh soldiers 
had been massacred, and, to complete the sangui- 
nary deed, the bodies of many of them were boiled 
and eaten by the savages : the lives of the remain- 
der, as well as of the prisoners taken at St. Joseph 
and Green Bay, were spared, and on the return of 
peace they were all released, either with or with- 
out ransom. At the close of these tragical events, 
a number of Indian canoes arrived with English 
traders, who were beaten, insulted, and marched 
to the prison lodge. 

After the work of devastation had been finish, 
ed, many of the Indians retired to the island of 
Mackinaw, while others repaired to Detroit, to aid 
Pontiao in the siege of this post. This chief, how- 
ever, soon found that his enemies were too formi- 
dable for him. General Bradstreet now arrived to 
relieve the fort, at the head of an army of three 
thousand men. On his way he had destroyed the 
villages of the hostile savages, laid waste their 
cornfields along the rich bottoms of the Maumee, 
dispersed the natives in every direction, and reach- 
ed Detroit without opposition. The Indians, per- 
ceiving that they could no longer contend against 
so powerful a foe, laid down their arms, and thus 
the war was brought to a close. 

Of Pontiac after his discomfiture, but little is 



144 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

certainly known. Disappointed and mortified at 
the failure of his p'ans, he retired to Illinois, where 
he was assassinated about the year 1767 by an In- 
dian of the Peoria tribe.* The character of this 
chief was bold and strongly marked. Excelled by 
none of his race in courage, .strength, and energy, 
he possessed traits which pointed him out for a 
leader. To have had sufficient influence to bring 
the numerous tribes of the West, along a frontier 
of a thousand miles, to co-operate with him in his 
desperate undertaking, must have required much 
more than ordinary talents. Although destitute 
of those principles of honour which prevail among 
civilized nations in the operations of war, he pos- 
sessed a larger share of humanity than is com- 
monly found among savages. Undismayed by dif- 
ficulties, and far-seeing and comprehensive in his 
plans, he fought from a sense of justice and in de- 
fence of the rich domain which had been bequeath, 
ed to him by his ancestors. 

* Cass. 



THE FUR-TRADE. 145 



CHAPTER VI. 

Co.idition of the Fur-trade under the English, — Hudson's Bay 
Compar.y. — English Administration of the Law. — Criminal 
Trial. — Quebec Act. — Mineral Rock on Lake Superior. — 
Northwest Company.— American Revolution. — Expeditions 
from Detroit.— Indian Council held at Detroit. — American 
Independence established. 

From the year 1679, when La Salle and Henne- 
pin crossed Lake Erie with the first vessel that 
had ever disturbed the waters of that lake, the face 
of the country had been, down to the time of the 
English occupation, but little changed. During 
the period of the French power in this quarter, the 
fur-trade had been vigorously carried on along the 
great chain of lakes, and through every channel in 
which it could be made to circulate, either by com- 
panies chartered for that object, or by individual 
enterprise. The coureurs des hois, who acted, says 
La Hontan, " like East Indiamen and pirates,"* re- 
turning periodically from their inland voyages to 
swell the population at the different posts, brought 
with them in bark canoes the furs and peltry which 
they had collected, and deposited them at the fac- 
tories erected to receive them: from thence they 
* La Hontan's Voyages. 



146 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

were at regular seasons transported to the head- 
quarters of the trade at Montreal and Quebec, 
where they were shipped for Europe. 

The principal channels through which this tioiH 
fie was carried on between the upper and lower 
provinces, continued to be the Ottawa River or 
Lake Erie, the packs, when the latter course was 
adopted, being transported across the portage of 
Niagara Falls upon the backs of the traders. 

The condition of this trade under the French, 
although depending much on the peculiar character 
of the people, was essentially modified by the pos- 
itive operation of the laws. The government of 
the colony was, it is true, exercised with apparent 
mildness, but still it was impressed with those harsh 
principles which characterized the most aristocratic 
period of the Bourbons. Even the form of land 
distribution, founded on the Coiitume de Paris, was 
extended to the French colonies of the West. Its 
operation was exceedingly oppressive, and greatly 
retarded the growth of the settlements. It con- 
fined the energies of the people to narrow tracts 
of land, granted under burdensome conditions, pla- 
cing them in the power of seigneurs, which was 
but another name for masters, instead of opening 
the broad anc fertile bosom of the West to fiee and 
unencumbered industry, suc:i as is now effecting 
such extraordinary changes in that region under 






CONDITION UNDER THE ENGLISH 147 

the equal laws of our own republic. The people 
under this system were but the mere appendages 
of large corporations, parts of a vast machine which 
was planned and kept in motion solely for the ben- 
efit of royal monopolies. 

It has been remarked that the aspect of things 
in these remote regions was but little changed after 
they came into the possession of the English, The 
chapels and the forts continued in much tne same 
state ; the little farms of the French, surrounded by 
pickets, stretched along the banks of the streams 
as before ; and the country presented a variegated 
aspect of French, English, and Indian manners.''- 
The red coats of the British regulars contrasted 
very strikingly with the peasant garb of the French 
farmers, and with the wild and fantastic dress of 
the natives. 

The insurrection being quelled, a system of con- 
ciliatory measures was adopted to secure the good- 
will of the disaffected tribes ; small grants of land 
were made around the posts, and the Indians them- 
selves were induced to cede portions of their ter- 
ritory for a trifling consideration to the French 
colonists. These grants were made, however, 
without any authority from the British government. 
The French settlements extended along the banks 
of the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers to the distance 
* Carver. 



148 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

of about twenty miles above and below the town, 
with here and there a lonely hut of some French 
trader at a favourable point in the interior. De- 
troit continued to be the most prominent post, and 
three years after the Pontiac war the town con- 
tained not less than a hundred houses, independent 
of the barracks. On the west side of the town lay 
the commons, which received the name of the 
King^s Garden, The fort was surrounded by pick- 
ets and mounted with small cannon, was garrison- 
ed by two hundred men, and the commandant ex- 
ercised a sort of arbitrary power under the general 
supervision of the Governor-general of Canada.* 

Meanwhile the Hudson's Bay Company, which 
had been long a rival of the old French companies, 
extended its operations through the wilderness 
which had been the ranging ground of the French 
traders. This company had been chartered in 
1669 by Charles II. That charter, granted to a 
company of English merchants, authorized them 
to occupy a very extensive region north of Canada 
for the prosecution of the fur-trade, to establish 
military posts for the defence of their persons and 
property, and to traffic with the native tribes. 

From 1763 to the close of the three following 
years, the trade from Montreal with the interi- 
or had been greatly diminished, the Indians car- 

* Carver. 



Hudson's bay company. 149 

rjing on most of their traffic with the agents of 
the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1766 individual 
adventurers began to extend their operations alonor 
the lake shores, in the same track that had former- 
ly been pursued by the French, and soon came 
in collision with the large companies which were 
striving to occupy for their exclusive benefit this 
extensive region. Thus the course of the trade 
continued to present the same wild features which 
had characterized it under the former regime. 

The English made but little change either in the 
laws or in their administration, and pursued the 
same general policy as had their predecessors the 
French. The commandants of the posts, although 
responsible to the governor. general at Quebec, 
were still possessed of a discretionary power which 
was all but absolute, and which they exercised in a 
highly arbitrary manner, as perhaps was necessa- 
ry among such a population as they had to deal 
with. Whenever any crime was committed, how- 
ever, which required a formal trial, it was custom- 
ary for these officers to summon a jury of the most 
respectable inhabitants, and to abide by their de- 
cision. 

A semblance of the criminal laws of England 
was, it is true, introduced, but these laws were ad- 
ministered without any regard to fixed principles 
or to established rules. A single example will 



150 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

suffice to show the manner in which legal pro- 
ceedings were conducted in 1776. 

Governor Hamilton, at that time the command- 
ing officer at Detroit, being informed of a theft 
committed by a Canadian Frenchman, directed 
Philip Dcjean and twelve jurors to hear and ad- 
judge the case : they accordingly proceeded to 
the trial, and convicted the individual of the crime 
alleged against him. The record of this trial 
has come down to us, and it is a most singular 
document. Lord Dorchester, however, then gov- 
ernor of Canada, was no sooner made acquainted 
with the proceedings in this case, so contrary to 
every principle of law, than he issued a warrant 
for the arrest of Hamilton and Dejean, though, 
unfortunately, they had both previously left the 
country.* 

In 1774 an act was passed, called the Quebec 
Act, establishing the boundaries of Canada, inclu- 
ding Michigan, and extending thence to the Missis- 
sippi and Ohio Rivers on the south, and north from 
the St. Lawrence to the latitude of 52°, or to tho 
lands of the Hudson's Bay Company. This act 
granted to the Catholic inhabitants the free exercise 
of their religion, the undisturbed possession of their 
Church property, and the right in all matters of 
litigation to demand a trial according to the former 
* Colonial Record of 1776. 



MINING OPERATIONS. 151 

laws of the province. But this right was not ex- 
tended to the settlers on lands granted by the Eng- 
lish crown. The criminal laws of England were 
introduced into Canada, and the crown reserved 
to itself the right of establishing courts of civil, 
criminal, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction.* 

The enterprise of the people was not wholly 
confined to the fur-trade. The mineral region 
upon the shores of Lake Superior had been visited 
as early as 1773 ; a project was formed for work- 
ing the copper ore discovered there, and a com- 
pany in England had obtained a charter for that 
object. This company consisted of the Duke of 
Gloucester, Mr. Secretary Townshend, Sir Samuel 
Tutchet, Bart., Mr. Baxter, consul of the Empress- 
of Russia, Mr. Cruikshank, Sir William Johnston, 
Bart., Mr. Bostwick, and Alexander Henry, the 
French fur-trader who figured so conspicuously in 
the fall of Michilimackinac. A sloop was accord- 
ingly purchased, and the miners commenced their 
operations. They soon found, however, that the 
expenses of blasting and of transportation were too 
great to warrant the prosecution of the enterprise, 
and it was abandoned. Previous to this, a com- 
pany of English adventurers had embarked in the 
same project, but they also gave it up on account, 
as they said, " of the distracted state of affairs in 
America."! 

* M'Gregor t Henry. 

M 



152 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

In 1783 several influential merchants, who had 
been individually engaged in the fur-trade, entered 
into partnership for its more vigorous prosecution, 
though without any charter, and established what 
was styled the Northwest Company. The stock 
of this company was divided into sixteen shares. 
No money was paid in, but each of the partners 
engaged to furnish his proportion of the goods ne- 
cessary to carry on the trade. _ 

In 1787 the shareholders appointed from their 
number special agents to import from England 
such goods as might be required, and to store them 
at Montreal. The plan they adopted for conduct- 
ing the trade was similar to that which had been 
pursued by the French. The European goods were, 
by the orders of the agents, made into such articles 
as were wanted by the traders and Indians, and 
packed up and forwarded, and the money for the 
outfits was also supplied by them.* 

Storehouses were erected in convenient and ac- 
cessible situations on the borders of the lakes, and the 
posts formerly occupied by the French were em- 
ployed for the same purpose. Connected with these 
there were also trading-houses, and places where 
the various persQns employed in carrying on the 
trade might be accommodated. Agents were sent 
to Detroit, Mackinaw, the Sault de Ste. Marie, and 
* M'Kenzie 



153 

the Grand Portage near Lake Superior, vv here the 
furs were deposited when brought from the interi. 
or, and whose business it was to have them pack- 
ed and sent to Montreal for shipment to England.* 

The most important point of the fur-trade was 
the Grand Portage of Lake Superior, situated in a 
remote region to the northwest, where the great- 
est quantity of furs could be collected. Here 
the proprietors of the establishment, the guides, 
clerks, and interpreters, messed together in a large 
hall hung round with elk-horns, ornamented pipes, 
hatchets, and other implements used by the Indians 
in war and peace, while the canoe-men, or com- 
reurs des hois^ were allowed nothing but a dish 
which they called " hommony," consisting of Indian 
corn boiled in a strong alkali and seasoned with fat. 

The persons employed in this traffic were a 
motley and very peculiar race. Besides the clerks, 
interpreters, and guides, there was a numerous 
body, half Indian and half French, which had been 
constantly increasing in this quarter from the fre- 
quent intermarriages between the traders and the 
native women. The canoes employed by them 
were of large size, each one being capable of con- 
taining ten men and about sixty-five packages of 
furs. 

The European goods purchased for this traffic 
» M'Kenzie. 



154 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

consisted of blankets, cutlery, glass beads, and 
other trinkets, besides different articles that were 
obtained at Montreal. 

These goods were ordered from England the 
season before they were wanted, shipped from 
London the following spring, and arrived in Cana- 
da early in the summer. Here they were made 
up into packages of a convenient size, weighing 
each about ninety pounds, sent to the interior the 
next spring, exchanged for furs during the succeed- 
ing winter, and the following autumn these furs 
were received at Montreal and shipped for London.* 

Thus this interesting trade, which had been car. 
ried on for more than a century, still continued to 
circulate in its ordinary channels along the waters 
of the lakes. But the spirit of mercantile rivalry 
was carried to a great extent, and, unhappily, ex- 
cited all the worst passions in the human breast. 
The Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies, the 
respective boundaries of which were not very clear- 
ly defined, came into active and desperate collision, 
and made repeated attacks upon the trading-posts 
of each other. Lord Selkirk, however, having 
placed himself at the head of the Hudson's Bay 
Company, succeeded at length in uniting the stock 
of the two companies, and thus put an end to 
the strife. These two companies held dominicw* 

* M'Kenzie. 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION. 155 

over the territory bordering on the lakes, and stud- 
ied only to keep it a barren, howling waste, that 
they might the better fill their own coffers. 

The American Revolution was now about to 
break forth. The people of the English colonies 
at the East had declared that they would not sub- 
mit to be taxed by the mother-country unless they 
were represented in the British Parliament. A 
duty having been imposed upon tea, a vessel lying 
in Boston harbour with a quantity of it on board 
had been taken possession of by a party of the in- 
habitants, and the obnoxious article was thrown 
into the sea. From this may be dated the com- 
mencement of a struggle which, in the desperation 
with which it was fought and the magnitude of its 
results, is scarcely paralleled in history. 

During this eventful struggle, the wilderness 
then comprising the territory of the present State 
of Michigan, with but a small population, consist- 
ing principally of British soldiers and persons con- 
nected with the fur-trade, from its remote situation 
was but little affected by the war, though the In- 
dians within its borders were employed to harass 
the American settlements upon the frontiers of 
New-York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. 

Detroit and Michilimackinac were during this 
period the points of greatest interest. At these 
p^ts the Indian warriors were assembled and fur- 



156 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

nished with arms and ammunition, and from thence 
they were despatched against the nearest Ameri- 
can settlements, to pillage, burn, and destroy, and 
to massacre and scalp the defenceless inhabitants. 
On their return- from their murderous expeditions, 
these savage allies were met by the British com- 
manders in the council-houses of Mackinaw and 
Detroit, and there received the stipulated price for 
the scalps which they brought. 

It is not to be wondered at that the European 
inhabitants of Michigan and Canada should have 
been opposed to the doctrines of the American 
Revolution. The French population had been ac- 
customed to a despotic government, and from hab- 
it were little inclined to any other ; while the Eng- 
lish colonists were mere adventurers, and had come 
to the country for no other reason than to benefit 
their fortunes by its trade. They were therefore 
actuated by a totally different spirit from that which 
animated the inhabitants of the original English 
colonies, who were fixed in their habits, and who 
had fled from the persecution of the people of Eng- 
land, that they might enjoy, undisturbed, the right of 
self-government in matters of religion. 

Not only were parties of Indians sent out against 
the American settlements, but in some instances 
they were supported by the regular troops and tho 
local militia. One of these joint expeditions, com. 



EXPEDITION OF GOVERNOR HAMILTON. 157 

manded by Captain Byrd, set out from Detroit to 
attack Louisville. It proceeded in boats as far 
as it could ascend the Maumee River, and from 
thence crossed over to the Ohio ; but the high wa- 
ter here preventing them from reaching the place 
for which they started, they marched to what is 
called Ruddle's Station. The formidable force 
which they presented intimidated the garrison at 
this post, and it immediately surrendered, under the 
promise of being protected from the Indians. This 
promise, however, was violated, and the prisoners 
were all massacred. A small stockade, called 
Martin's Station, was likewise taken by the same 
commander, and his advance threw the whole re- 
gion into the utmost consternation, when he sud- 
denly withdrew.* 

Another expedition started from Detroit undei 
the command of Henry Hamilton, the commandant 
of the post. At that time the feeble settlements in 
what now comprises Kentucky were much exposed 
to the hostile inroads of the savages, and General 
Clarke, an officer of great bravery and experience, 
had been sent by the governor of Virginia for 
their defence. Supposing that he could the better 
accomplish his object by reducing Kaskaskia, Ka- 
hokia, and other small French settlements in this 
region, which were believed to be friendly to the 
* Cass. 



158 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

British cause, he descended the river and took pos- 
session of them. 

Governor Hamilton was no sooner informed of 
these proceedings than he collected a force of reg- 
ulars, militia, and Indians, and proceeded to St. 
Vincent, where he halted to make arrangements 
for active operations as soon as the season would 
permit. His design was to recover the posts which 
had been captured by General Clarke, to attack 
and defeat the force under his command, and de- 
stroy the infant settlements of the Americans in 
this region. 

General Clarke was soon advised of the move- 
ments of Hamilton. A Spanish merchant inform, 
ed him that this officer was extremely careless in 
his operations, and that he had sent a part of his 
force to the Ohio River to destroy the settlements 
along its banks. The American general accord- 
ingly despatched an armed boat to the Wabash, 
with orders to her commander not to permit any- 
thing to pass that river, while he himself set out 
with one hundred and thirty men for the same 
point, although in the depth of winter. Sixteen 
days were occupied in crossing the country, the 
soldiers sometimes marching up to their breasts in 
water along the shores of the Wabash, that stream 
having overflowed its banks. As soon as they ar- 
rived at St. Vincent, the soldiers were drawn up 



THE DE LA WARES. 159 

in order of battle, and, with the trunk of a tree 
formed in the shape of a cannon, they boldly ad- 
vanced to attack the British post. Governor Ham- 
ilton, supposing that he was about to be assailed by 
artillery, immediately surrendered. The British 
were suffered to return to Detroit ; but their com- 
mander, who was known to have been active in in- 
stigating the Indians to commit the greatest bar- 
barities, was placed in irons, and sent to Virginia 
as a prisoner of war.* 

Still some of the savages were not well affected 
to the British cause. As early as in 1776, the 
Delawares had received a message from the Hu- 
rons of Detroit, requesting them to " keep their shoes 
in readiness to unite with their warriors." Neta- 
watwees, however, the chief of the Delawares, who 
wished to remain neutral, would not listen to this 
proposal, but sent to the Huron chief in return 
several belts of wampum, admonishing him at the 
same time to keep quiet, and to remember the mis- 
ery which the Hurons had formerly brought upon 
themselves by engaging in wars on the side of the 
French. The reply of the Delawares was deliver- 
ed in the presence of De Peyster, the English com- 
mandant, who cut the belts of wampum in pieces, 
threw them on the ground, and commanded the 
messengers who brought them instantly to quit the 
country.f • 

* Cass, t Loskiel. 



160 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Certain Moravian missionaries, who were en- 
gaged in their peaceful and pious labours on the 
banks of the Muskingum, did not escape the suspi- 
cions of the English in this quarter. These disin- 
terested and charitable men were accused of hold, 
ing a secret correspondence with the Congress at 
Philadelphia, and of contributing their influence, as 
well as that of their Indian congregation, to aid 
the American cause. 

The Indian agent was therefore sent to Niagara, 
and a grand council of the Iroquois was assembled, 
at which those tribes were urged to break up the 
Indian congregation collected by the Moravians. 
Not wishing, however, to have anything to do with 
it, they sent a message to the Chippewas and Ot- 
tawas, with a belt, stating that they gave the Indian 
congregation into their hands " to make soup of."* 

In 1781 the Moravian missionaries arrived at 
Detroit, where they were immediately brought be- 
fore De Peyster, the English commandant. A 
war council was held at the same time, when the 
council-house was completely filled, the different 
tribes being arranged on either side. The assem- 
bly was addressed in a long speech by Captain 
Pipe, the principal chief of the Wolf tribe, who had 
committed the most savage barbarities upon the 
scattered American settlements. He told the com. 

Loskiel. 



BRITISH INFLUENCE. 161 

mandant •• that the English might fight the Ameri- 
cans if they chose : it was their cause, and not his ; 
that they had raised a quarrel among themselves, 
and that it was their business to fight it out. 
They had set him on the Americans," he said, " as 
the hunter sets his dog upon the game." By the 
side of the British commander stood a war-chief, 
with a stick in his hand four feet in length, strung 
with American scalps. "Now, father," said he, 
presenting the stick and addressing himself to the 
commandant, " here is what has been done with 
the hatchet you gave me. I have made the use 
of it that you ordered me to do, and found it 
sharp."* 

It was by such influences that these savage tribes 
were instigated to commit the most atrocious cru- 
elties against the defenceless American settlements 
on the frontiers during the whole course of the 
Revolutionary war. Every avenue was closed 
whereby a different influence might be introduced 
among them, and they were made to believe that 
the Americans were only seeking to possess them- 
selves of their lands, and to drive them away from 
the territory they had inherited from their forefa- 
thers. 

But, after the country from Maine to Florida 
had been drenched with blood in this great contest 
* Loskiel. 



162 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

for freedom, the American cause was at last tri- 
umphant ; and by the treaty of peace concluded at 
Versailles in 1783, an end was at least temporarily 
put to these barbarities : the distant settlers were 
permitted once more to resume their labours, and 
to sleep without alarm. 



BAD FAITH OF THE ENGLISH. 163 



CHAPTER VII. 

Northwestern Territory organized.— Arthur St. Clair appointed 
Governor. — English refuse to surrender the Posts. — Indian 
Disafiection.— Indian Council at Detroit. — Message from the 
Spanish Settlements on the Banks of the Mississippi.— Cam- 
paign of General Harmar.— Campaign of General St. Clair. — 
Campaign of General Wayne.— Extension of French Settle- 
ments.— Michigan surrendered to the United States.— Condi- 
tion of the Territory in connexion with the Fur-trade.— Cur- 
rency employed in the Fur-trade. 

But, although the war was at an end, the posts 
and trading stations along the lakes, within the ac- 
knowledged limits of the United States, were not 
given up. Of the real causes which induced the 
British government, in violation of all the principles 
of good faith, to retain these posts, we have no 
means of judging. It may, however, be fairly in- 
ferred from the conduct of individuals, that if 
that government did not actually and by direct 
means promote the Indian war which broke out 
at this time, it did not, to say the least, discounte- 
nance it. 

There is ample evidence to show that British 
emissaries were sent to the remote Indian tribes 
on the borders of the lakes to instigate them to 



164 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

take up arms, and that, after they had done so, 
they looked for aid from the EngHsh garrisons 
within the American territory. In the treaty of 
peace of 1783, there was no express stipulation in 
regard to the surrender of the northwestern posts ; 
but by the second article of Jay's treaty in 1794, 
it was agreed that the British troops should be 
withdrawn from all the posts assigned to the Uni- 
ted States by the former treaty (of 1783) on or 
before the first day of June, 1796. 

The conduct of England in so long persisting in 
retaining possession of a country which did not be- 
long to her, we shall not pretend to account for ; 
but the value of this country, from the richness of 
its soil and its other advantages, soon began to at- 
tract attention. 

Measures were accordingly taken for its tempo- 
rary government. The circumstance which had 
more particularly directed the public attention to 
this western domain was a memorial from the sol- 
diers and officers of the Revolutionary army, pre- 
sented to General Washington in 1783, setting 
forth their claims to a portion of the public lands. 
Nothing, however, was granted to them at that 
time.* 

The country had been completely exhausted by 
the terrible struggle in which it had been so long 
* North American Review. 



CESSION OF LANDS TO CONGRESS. 165 

engaged, and, heavily burdened with debt, it was 
now seeking for some means by which it could se- 
cure its liquidation ; and as the war had been pros- 
ecuted for the general good, it was held that the 
states claiming lands in this quarter were bound to 
grant portions of them for this object. The terri- 
tory northwest of the Ohio was claimed by several 
of the Eastern States, on the ground that it was 
included within the limits indicated by their char- 
ters from the English crown. In answer to the 
wishes of the government and people, these states 
in a patriotic spirit surrendered their claims to this 
extensive territory, that it might constitute a com- 
mon fund to aid in the payment of the national debt. 

To prepare the way for this cession, a law had 
been passed in October, 1780, that the territory so 
to be ceded should be disposed of for the common 
benefit of the whole Union ; that the states erected 
therein should be of suitable extent, not less than 
one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty 
miles square ; and that any expenses that might be 
incurred in recovering the posts then in the hands 
of the British should be reimbursed. 

New- York released her claims to Congress on 
the 1st of March, 1781 ; Virginia on the 1st of 
the same month, 1784 ; Massachusetts on the 19th 
of April, 1785 ; and Connecticut on the 4th of Sep- 
tember, 1786. 



166 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Meanwhile, the Iroquois in 1784 conveyed to the 
United States all their right to any lands west of 
Pennsylvania ; and on the 1st of January, 1785, by 
the treaty of Fort M'Intosh, the Ottawas, Chippe- 
was, Dela wares, and Wyandots surrendered all 
the lands claimed by them south of the Ohio, a belt 
of territory six miles broad, commencing at the 
River Raisin and extending along the strait to Lake 
St. Clair, a tract of twelve miles square at the Rap- 
ids of the Maumee, together with the Islands of 
Bois Blanc and Mackinaw, and also a tract six 
miles by three on the mainland, to the north of the 
last-mentioned island. These different cessions 
having been obtained from the native tribes, in 
1787 a government was organized for this exten- 
sive region, which received the name of the North- 
west Territory.* 

It is unnecessary here to examine particularly 
the details of this ordinance ; it was based on 
the principles of civil liberty maintained in the 
Magna Charta of England, re-enacted in the bill of 
rights, and incorporated into our different state 
constitutions. This ordinance, it is well known, 
was drawn up by Nathan Dane, of Beverley, Mas- 
sachusetts, a benevolent and excellent man, and a 
distinguished lawyer, who was the compiler of a 
very valuable abridgment of American Law, and 

* North American Review. 



INJUSTICE OF THE BRITISH. 167 

the founder of the Dane Law school in the Uni- 
versity of Cambridge. 

On the 7th of April, 1788, a company of forty- 
seven individuals landed at the spot where Mariet- 
ta now stands, and there commenced the settlement 
of Ohio. The first code of laws for this territory 
was published by nailing them to the body of a tree 
upon the banks of the Muskingum, and Return Jon, 
athan Meigs was appointed to administer them, the 
governor, Arthur St. Clair, not having yet arrived. 

We have seen that the Western posts were still 
retained by the British government, notwithstand- 
ing the peace concluded in 1783. Several ques- 
tions of no little interest had sprung up, which ex- 
cited unfriendly feelings between the two nations, 
and governed their policy. Debts due by Ameri- 
cans to British subjects, the payment of which 
had been guarantied by the treaty, were not paid ; 
and on the other hand, the slaves belonging to 
American citizens, and who had been taken away 
by the British officers, were not restored. In 
consequence of this unsettled state of things, when 
the Baron Steuben was sent by General Wash- 
ington to Sir Frederic Haldimand at Quebec to 
arrange matters for the occupation of these posts, 
with instructions to proceed to Michigan, and along 
the line of the lake frontier, for the purpose of ta- 
king possession of them, he was informed that they 
N 



168 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

would not be given up, and was refused passports 
to Niagara and Detroit.* 

Combined with the retention of the posts, a new 
confederacy among the savages was evidently or- 
ganizing in the West. As early as December, 
1786, a grand council of the different tribes was 
held near the mouth of the Detroit River. At this 
council were delegates from the Six Nations, from 
the Hurons, the Ottawas, the Miamis, the Shawa- 
nese, the Chippewas, thi fherokees, the Delawares, 
the Pottawatami&s, and iiom the confederates of 
the Wabash. The principal subject of discussion 
at this council appears to have been a question of 
boundary. It was contended by the Indians that 
the United States had no right to cross the Ohio 
River, but they advised a pacific line of policy so 
long as there was no actual encroachment upon 
their territory. The design of this discussion un- 
doubtedly was to create a belief that the Ameri- 
cans intended to drive them from their lands, and, 
as was said, to " kindle their council fires wher- 
ever they thought proper, without consulting the 
Indians." The American government, indeed, con- 
sidered that the treaty of 1783 vested in them ju- 
risdiction over the Indian territory : a claim which 
the native occupants were by no means disposed 
to admit. At this time, also, the United States 



PLEA FOR RETAINING THE WESTERN POSTS. 169 

were at issue with a foreign power respecting the 
right of navigating the Mississippi. 

Among other things, as a plea for still retaining 
the Western posts, it was pretended by the Eng. 
lish that the extensive and valuable country in 
which they were situated had been ceded away 
through some oversight on the part of the commis- 
sioners, or from their ignorance of the geography 
of the country. But the real motives by which 
they were actuated are sufficiently manifest. They 
had already succeeded in exciting hostile feelings 
among the Indian tribes, and this they were deter- 
mined to take advantage of for the purpose of pre- 
venting this broad and fertile region from passing 
out of their hands. 

Many of the half-breeds were also active in sec- 
onding the views of the English, not only by infla- 
ming the minds of the Indians, but by promising to 
take up arms in their cause, from a belief that if 
they did not thus side with them, they would not af- 
terward be suffered to trade in their territory. 
Meanwhile, Alexander M'Kenzie, an agent of the 
British government, visited Detroit, painted like a 
savage, and stated that he had just returned from 
the remote tribes of the upper lakes, who were all 
in arms, and prepared to oppose the claims of the 
Americans to the western lands ; that large bod- 
ies of warriors had already assembled, and that they 



170 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

were about to attack the infant settlements of Vir- 
ginia and Ohio.* The artifice practised by M'Ken- 
zie succeeded to his wish ; and he could the better 
operate upon the prejudices and passions of the In- 
dians, as he spoke their language perfectly well. 
Elliot and the notorious Simon Girty were no less 
active in exciting the savages to war. 

In 1794 an agent was sent from the Spanish set- 
tlements on the banks of the Mississippi for the 
same object, and to hasten the organization of the 
Indian confederacy against the United States. 
"Children," said he to his savage auditors, "you 
see me on my feet, grasping the tomahawk to 
strike them (the Americans). We will strike to. 
gether. I do not desire you to go before me in 
the front, but to follow me. Children, you hear 
what these distant nations have said to us, so that 
we have nothing to do but to put our designs into 
immediate execution, and to forward this pipe to 
the three warlike nations who have been so long 
struggling for their countr}^ Tell them to smoke 
this pipe, and to forward it to all the lake Indians, 
and to their Northern brethren. Then nothing 
will be wanting to complete our general union 
from the rising to the setting of the sun, and all 
the nations will be ready to add strength to the 
blow we are going to strike. "f Excited by these 

* Schoolcraft t Stone. 



GENERAL HARMAR DEFEATED. 171 

various means, bands ofsavage warriors, armed witli 
the tomahawk and scalping-knife, were seen hast- 
ening towards the ^ake posts, and another great In. 
dian confederacy was formed, consisting of the 
Oltawas, the Pottawatamies, the Wyandots, the 
Miamis, the Chippewas, and the Delawares. 

As early as 1785 and 1786, the hostile Indians had 
occasionally sent their war-parties against the fee- 
ble frontier settlements in Kentucky and along the 
banks of the Ohio, where a few enterprising emi- 
grants from Virginia and New-England had erect- 
ed their little clusters of log cabins. 

These border incursions, which most clearly ap- 
pear to have been countenanced by the British, in- 
duced the American government in 1790 to send 
into that quarter General Josiah Harmar, an accom- 
plished and able officer, to put a stop to them. He 
advanced against the hostile tribes with a force 
amounting to fourteen hundred men ; but, impru- 
dently dividing his army, he was taken by surprise, 
and defeated by a body of Indians led on by that san. 
guinary and desperate warrior, the Little Turtle.* 

General Harmar, having failed in his enterprise, 
was succeeded by Major-general St. Clair, the 
governor of the Northwestern Territory ; and in 
October, 1792, this officer advanced into the Indian 
country with a force of about two thousand men. 
♦ Stono 



172 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Warned as he was by the disaster that had pioved 
so fatal to his predecessor, he fell into an ambus- 
cade that had been laid for him, where the Indians? 
firing from behind their breastwork of fallen trees, 
carried destruction into the American ranks, and 
soon covered the ground with their dead. So sud- 
den and unexpected was the attack, and so murder- 
ous the fire of the enemy, that the general was com. 
pelled to order a retreat, leaving his artillery in 
the hands of the savages. 

On account of these repeated disasters, it be- 
came necessary to increase the army by enlist- 
ments, and to push a still stronger force against 
the hostile Indian tribes. General Washington 
therefore made the most strenuous efforts to effect 
this object ; but, owing to the panic produced by 
the disastrous defeats of Harmar and St. Clair, 
with but little success. There was, moreover, no 
small opposition to the war ; and additional meas- 
ures were deemed necessary to bring it to a close. 
In 1793 General St. Slair was succeeded by 
General Anthony Wayne in the command of the 
Western army. Advancing through the forest to 
the spot which had been rendered memorable by 
the defeat of St. Clair, he there constructed a fort 
upon the site of the old fortification, and called it 
Fort Recovery.* Situated in the midst of the 
* Stone. 



FORT DEPOSITE. 173 

scene of former carnage, there might then have 
been seen around it, under the trees and amid the 
fallen logs, the bleached bones of those who had 
been slain. 

General Wa3aie soon reached the confluence of 
the Au Glaize and Maumee Rivers, and found the 
villages spread along the bottoms of the latter com- 
pletely deserted. A short time afterward he ar- 
rived at the Rapids of the Maumee, and erected 
there a fort about four miles above the British post, 
which he called Fort Deposite, in which he placed 
his stores and baggage. This British post, estab- 
lished on American ground, had been fortified by 
a detachment sent from Detroit the preceding 
spring, and the Indians appeared to look, upon it as 
their last refuge in case they were attacked. 

The British government had demanded, before 
the treaty of 1783, as one of the conditions of 
peace, the complete independence of the savage 
tribes, with, of course, the power to grant their 
lands to whomsoever they pleased.* The Ameri- 
cans having refused to accede to this condition, that 
post was established on the banks of the Miami for 
the purpose, it was believed, of countenancing the 
Indians, and of actively supporting them should 
they gain the ascendancy. General Wayne there- 
foie felt it necessary to advance with the utmost 
* Thatcher. 



174 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

caution, as everything depended not only upon his 
courage, but his prudence. He had been directed, 
however, in case he was opposed by the British, to 
treat them according to the usages of war. 

The American commander was not long in com- 
ing up with his savage foe. The Indians regard- 
ed him with great fear from his supposed cunning, 
calling him the Blacksnake on that account ; while 
the American army, consisting of three thousand 
men, no doubt presented a truly formidable appear- 
ance to them. 

The Indian force, their whole strength being col- 
lected at this point, was in point of numbers about 
the same. Most of the savages were naked, and 
painted for battle. Stationed in a dense forest, 
and protected by the rocky bank of the river and 
a breastwork of fallen trees, they were disposed 
in three lines within supporting distance of each 
other. 

Wayne's Legion consisted of two thousand regu- 
lars and one thousand mounted militia, under Gen- 
eral Scott, of Kentucky. The right flank of his 
army rested on the river, a brigade of mounted 
volunteers under General Todd occupied the left, 
and General Babee, with his division, formed the 
rear. Major Price was ordered to advance with a 
select battalion of riflemen and reconnoitre, and, if 
attacked, to retreat in pretended confusion, in order 
to entice the enemy towards the main body. The 



BATTLE OF THE MAUMEE. 175 

Stratagem proved successful ; and while the sava- 
ges were rushing forward and startling the wilder- 
ness with their yells of triumph, the American army 
advanced against them with trailed arms, being or- 
dered to press them with the bayonet, to rouse 
them from their lurking-places, and deliver a close 
fire upon their backs, so as to allow them no op- 
portunity to escape. The Indians now began to 
break, and retreated towards the walls of Fort 
Maumee. While these events were taking place, 
the gates of the fort had been shut, and the Eng- 
lish within gazed with apparent indifference upon 
the scene. In the action there was actually enga- 
ged on the side of the savages a force from De- 
troit, headed by a prominent individual of that 
place. General Wayne destroyed the Indian vil- 
lages and the corn-fields on the banks of the Mau- 
mee, and proceeded towards Fort Defiance.* 

Before he left the battle-ground, however, he 
paraded his force in front of the British post, that 
thsy might see its strength, while he advanced with 
his staff* towards the glacis to examine the character 
of the position, and to ascertain, as far as was pos- 
sible, what were the intentions of the garrison. 
The American officers, as they drew near, could 
discover the British soldiers, with matches lighted 
and standing by their guns, ready for any emer- 

* Stone. 
O 



176 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

gency that might arise. Some attempts were made 
by his officers to persuade the British commander 
to revenge this insuhing parade before his post by 
allowing them to salute the Americans with a dis- 
charge from their artillery. Nothing of this kind, 
however, was permitted, though a correspondence 
of no very friendly character took place. General 
Wayne finally succeeded in concluding a treaty 
with the Indians at Greenville, which effectually 
broke up the confederacy.* 

The settlements in Michigan up to this period 
had advanced but slowly. The French Canadians 
had extended their farms to a considerable distance 
along the banks of the St. Clair ; and on the De- 
troit River there were a few straggling French 
settlements, as also on Otter Creek, and on the 
rivers Rouge, Pointe aux Tremble, and other small 
streams flowing into Lake Erie. Agriculture and 
the fur-trade constituted nearly the entire occupa- 
tion of the inhabitants. 

Detroit and Frenchtown, both in the eastern pHrt 
of the peninsula, were at this time the only places 
of much importance. The former was merely a 
small cluster of rude wooden houses, defended by a 
fort, and surrounded by pickets, and formed, as it 
had long done, the principal depot for the fur-trade. 
The population, independent of the soldiers of tha 
» See Appendix E. 



SETTLEMENTS IN MICHIGAN. 177 

garrison, consisted principally of Scotch, French, 
and English merchants, who had removed here 
after the conquest of the country, for the prosecu- 
tion of that traffic. The goods required here were 
obtained from Montreal, and bills of credit for 
small sums, payable at that place or at Quebec, 
were allowed to be issued by the merchants, on 
condition of their giving security to double their 
amount. Frenchtown, on the River Raisin, now 
a place of considerable importance, consisted at 
that time of only a few log cabins, erected by the 
French on either bank of the river. Two Indian 
villages, one occupied by the Ottawas, the other by 
the Pottawatamies, stood on the present site of the 
City of Monroe. Being a depdt for the North- 
western Company, the surrounding Indians peri- 
odically resorted there to exchange their furs and 
peltry for cloths, beads, silver ornaments, fire- 
arms, ammunition, and such other articles as they 
required. The' French settlers in the vicinity also 
disposed of their corn here in exchange for goods, 
and from thence it was transported to the upper 
lakes for the use of the traders.* 

About this time a project was started, which, had 
it been successful, would have been highly injuri- 
ous to the interests of this part of the West. In 
1795, Robert Randall, of Pennsylvania, and Charles 

* Manuscripts from Detroit. 



178 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Whitney, of Vermont, in connexion with several 
merchants of Detroit, entered into a compact, the 
object of which was to appropriate to themselves a 
tract of territory comprising nearly twenty millions 
of acres, situated between Lakes Erie, Huron, and 
Michigan.* This was to be done by securing to 
themselves the pre-emption right. The land was 
to be divided into forty-one shares, five of which 
were to be apportioned among the traders of De- 
troit who were parties to the agreement, six were to 
be given to Randall and those associated with him, 
and the remainder were to be distributed among 
members of Congress who should exert their influ- 
ence in procuring the passage of the necessary law. 
The amount proposed to be paid for this vast tract 
was from half a million to a million of dollars ; 
and it was believed that the merchants of Detroit 
had sufficient influence with the Indians to induce 
them to part with the land. In opposition to the 
measure, it was represented that, under the treaty 
of 1783, the right of purchase belonged exclusively 
to the United States ; while, on the other hand, it 
was urged that the Indians were dissatisfied with 
this treaty, and did not consider themselves bound 
by it, and that the plan proposed would alone es- 
tablish tranquillity among them, and secure peace 
to the country. But, as soon as the corrupt char- 

* Biddle's Discourse. 



SURRENDER OF MACKINAW AND DETROIT. 179 

acter of the plan was discovered, the two principal 
projectors were brought before the bar of the 
House of Representatives, when, on the hearing of 
the evidence, Randall was discharged, but Whitney 
was fined to the amount of the costs which had 
accrued, and received a severe reprimand.* 

The Indian power having been broken by 
Wayne's victory, and the treaty of Greenville bind- 
ing the savages from farther aggression, the island 
of Mackinaw was at last surrendered, and Detroit 
also given up, the retiring garrison, to show their 
spite, locking the gates of the fort, breaking the 
windows in the barracks, and filling the wells with 
stones, in order to annoy the new occupants as 
much as was in their power. The latter post was 
soon after taken possession of by a detachment of 
troops under the command of Captain Porter, and 
the American flag hoisted on its ramparts for the 
first time. Thus Michigan at last passed quietly 
into the possession of the United States. 

While the English held this country, Mackinaw 
was the chief place of rendezvous for the Indians 
and the traders of the Northwest Company. Start- 
ing from this picturesque island in huge canoes, 
propelled by the voyageurs, the merchants would at 
tin,-^s sweep across the sparkling waters of those 
inland seas, provided with the means of the most 
* Biddlo's Discourse. 



180 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

luxurious revelry, and, encamping on their shores, 
would there hold their feasts, surrounded by half- 
bred dependants, traders, and Indians. 

While the French were in possession of this 
country, as there was but little coin for general cir- 
culation, accounts were kept in beaver-skins or oth- 
er furs reduced to their current value. The price 
of beaver at Michilimackinac in 1765 was two shil- 
lings and sixpence the pound, Michilimackinac cur- 
rency ; otter-skins were six shillings each, and mar- 
tin-skins one shilling and sixpence. Ten beaver- 
skins were given for a stroud blanket, eight for a 
white blanket, two for a pound of powder, one for a 
pound of shot or ball, twenty for a gun, two for an 
axe of one pound weight, and one for a knife. The 
notes and coin of Quebec were sometimes seen at 
the lake posts, but not in sufficient quantity to be 
relied on for a uniform currency. 



CONDITION OF MICHIGAN. 181 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Couoition of Michigan after the Surrender of the Posts.— Its 
Erection into a Territory. — General Hull appointed Governor. 
— Detroit destroyed by Fire. — Administration of the Law. — 
Third Indian Confederacy under Tecumseh and the Prophet. 
— La Marquoit.— Land-office established. — Waik-in-the- Wa- 
ter. — Population in 1811. — Memorial from Michigan praying 
Aid from the General Government. — Savage Outbreak.— Op- 
erations on the Wabash. — American Fur Company. 

It was a long time after this fertile but uncultiva- 
ted territory came into the possession of the United 
States before its character was materially changed. 
The Canadian French continued to form the prin- 
cipal part of its population. The interior of the 
country was but little known except by the Indians 
and the traders, who explored it in the pursuit of 
furs. As the effect of transferring the jurisdiction 
from France to England had been little more than 
to change the garrisons from French to English, 
and to give to the Hudson's Bay Company a mo- 
nopoly of the fur-trade, so its surrender to the Uni- 
ted States produced but little alteration in its gen- 
eral features. As the Indian title was not fully 
extinguished, no lands were b;'ought into market, 
and, consequently, the settlements proceeded bui 
very slowly. 



182 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

In the division of the Northwestern Territory, 
what is now the State of Michigan constituted a 
single county, wliich received the name of Wayne. 
It sent one representative to the Legislature of the 
Northwestern Territory, which was held at Cnili- 
cothe. A Court of Common Pleas was organized 
for the county, and the General Court of the whole 
territory sometimes met at Detroit. No roads had 
as yet been constructed through the interior, nor 
were there any settlements except on the frontiers. 
The habits of the people were essentially military, 
and but little attention was paid to agriculture ex- 
cept by the French peasantry. In winter they 
drove their carrioles over the ice with their Cana- 
dian ponies, that were of Norman stock, many 
of which are now to be seen in this country ; and 
in summer they employed small wooden carts, well 
adapted to the state of the roads, for the carriage 
of their goods — vehicles that are still used. 

The state continued to send a representative to 
the General Assembly of the Northwestern Terri- 
tory at Chilicothe until 1800, when Indiana was 
erected into a separate territory ; and two years 
afterward it was annexed to this new-formed terri- 
tory, and remained under its jurisdiction until 1805. 
In the month of January of that year it was erect- 
ed into a separate territory, and William Hull was 
^ippointed the first governor The system of gov. 



MICHIGAN ERECTED INTO A TERRITORY. 183 

ernment was somewhat peculiar, the executive 
power being confided in the governor, the judicial 
in three judges, who were authorized to " adopt 
and publish" laws suited to the territory, and not 
incompatible with the ordinance of 17S7, and the 
legislative power was exercised by the two jointly. 
On the 25th of July of that year the territory was 
iivided into three districts, namely, Erie, Huron, 
and Michilimackinac, for each of which a court was 
established, to be held by one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court of the territory, with exclusive ju- 
risdiction in criminal matters, and also in all civil 
cases above the sum of twenty dollars, those below 
this sum being cognizable by justices of the peace. 
A few years afterward it was divided into coun- 
ties, in each of which was organized a County 
Court.* The laws thus introduced were, as might 
be expected, crude and ill digested, as is abundant- 
ly attested by the records of the courts at that pe- 
riod, which are still preserved. 

General Hull, when he arrived at Detroit to as- 
sume his official duties as governor of the territory, 
found the town in ruins, it having been destroyed 
by fire.f Whether this disaster had been occa- 
sioned by accident or design was not known. 
However this may have been, as the town was 
very compact, covering only two acres of ground, 

* Territorial Laws. t Biddle's Discourse. 



184 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

and the materials were of the most combustible 
nature, it was soon entirely consumed, and the 
unfortunate inhabitants were obliged to encamp 
in the open fields, almost destitute of food and 
shelter. Still they were not discouraged, and soon 
commenced rebuilding their houses on the same 
site. The General Government also took their 
case into consideration, and an act of Congress 
was passed, granting to the sufferers the site of 
the old town of Detroit, and ten thousand acres of 
land adjoining it. 

A judiciary system was now established, and the 
territorial militia were organized. In October of 
the same year a report was made to Congress of 
the condition of the territory, and in May of the 
following year a code of laws was adopted sim- 
ilar to those of the original states. This code 
was signed by Governor Hull, Augustus B. Wood- 
ward and Frederic Bates, judges of the territory, 
and was called the "Woodward Code." The 
bounds of the territorial government, as then estab- 
lished, embraced all the country on the American 
side of the Detroit River, cast of a north and south 
line drawn through the centre of Lake Michigan. 

The Indian land-claims had been partially ex- 
tinguished previous to this period. By the treaty 
of Fort M'Intosh in 1785, and that of Fort Har- 
mar in 1787. extensive cessions had either been 



SETTLEMENT OF LAND-CLAlMS. 185 

made or confirmed, and in ihe year 1807 the In- 
dian titles to several tracts became entirely extinct. 

In consequence of the settlements which had 
been made under the French and English govern- 
ments, some confusion sprang up in regard to the 
titles to valuable tracts that were claimed by differ- 
ent individuals under the French laws. Congress 
accordingly passed an act establishing a board of 
commissioners to examine and settle these conflict- 
ing claims ; and in 1807 another act was passed, 
confirming to a certain extent the titles of all such 
as had been iu possession of the lands then occupied 
by them from the year 1796, when the territory was 
surrendered, up to the date of that act. Other 
acts were subsequently passed, extending the same 
conditions to the settlements on the upper lakes.* 

In addition to their settlements along the shores 
of the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, and the lake of 
the latter name, where there was a continued line of 
cottages, with farms adjoining, containing orchards 
of pear and apple trees, planted, probably, in the 
reign of Louis XIV., and the old posts on the island 
of Mackinaw, at Ste. Marie and at St. Joseph, the 
French colonists had a line of cabins on the River 
Raisin, where the city of Monroe (then called 
Frenchtown) now stands. The interior of the 
country was but little known except by those who 

* Biddle's Discourse. 



186 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN 

were engaged in the fur-trade, and these were in- 
terested in representing it in as unfavourable a 
light as possible. The Indian titles to the land 
had been but partially extinguished, and no portion 
of the public domain had been yet brought into 
market. But few American settlers liad therefore 
ventured into this region, though the adjoining Slate 
of Ohio had already acquired a considerable pop- 
ulation.* 

The distance of this territory also, and the un- 
settled state of affairs along the western borders of 
the lakes, necessarily prevented immigration. On 
the opposite shore there was a jealous foreign pow- 
er, and the interior of the country was occupied 
by different savage tribes. The territory, too, had 
Bbt just emerged from an Indian war, and another 
was evidently preparing. This third Indian con- 
federacy was not only countenanced by the Eng- 
lish, but directly instigated by them. The motives 
which led to it, and the means resorted to to bring 
it about, were the same as had proved successful 
in exciting the former insurrections under Pontiac 
and the Little Turtle. The old story was revived, 
that the Americans were about, to drive the Indians 
from their lands that they might occupy them them- 
selves. The chief projectors of this savage league 
were Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet. 
* Biddle'e Discourse. 



TECUMSEH AND THE PROPHET. 187 

The warlike leader of the enterprise was Te- 
cumseh, while the Prophet, whose Indian name waa 
Elkswatawa, was to operate on the minds of the 
savages by means of superstition, and to excite in 
them a spirit of fanaticism still more to inflame 
their natural ferocity. 

The disaflfection of these tribes was certainly 
what might have been expected. They saw anew 
power encroaching upon the inheritance that had 
been handed down to them from their ancestors, 
introducing their hated cultivation upon their soil, 
and rudely disturbing the graves of their dead. 
It was not difficult, therefore, to unite them in one 
last desperate struggle to resist this aggressive and 
threatening power. 

Their titles had been only very partially extin- 
guished, and they complained that, where this had 
been done, the treaties had been unfairly conduct- 
ed ; that the Indians had been deceived ; that they 
were in a state of intoxication at the time they 
signed away their lands, and that, even under these 
circumstances, only a part of the tribeS had given 
their consent. The dissatisfaction thus existing 
among them was artfully fomented by the agents 
of the Northwest Company, who foresaw that if 
the Americans were permitted to occupy this coun- 
try they would be cut off from a valuable portion 
of their trade; while the English government. 



188 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

which had ceded away this extensive tract with- 
out any very definite notions of its importance 
or extent, looked with complacency on any at- 
tempts made by the savages to retain it in their 
hands. An overreaching spirit had doubtless ac- 
tuated many of the pioneer settlers of the West, 
and wrongs had been inflicted upon the Indians 
which requirejd correction. Taking advantage of 
this, the traders, and the English generally, were 
indefatigable in sowing the seeds of discontent 
among the savage tribes ; and it was contended that 
they should hold the undisturbed possession of the 
Northwestern Territory, without surrendering the 
right of pre-emption to the United States. 

The Prophet commenced his mission among the 
tribes in 1806. Taking advantage of the super- 
stitious notions of the Indians, he told them that 
the Great Spirit had appeared to him in a dream, 
and appointed him his agent upon the earth ; and 
that, as such, his own tribe, the Shawanese, being 
the oldest tribe of the West, he was commanded to 
direct thenl to form a general confederacy against 
the United States. He had been instructed also, he 
said, to proclaim to the red men that it was the will 
of the Great Spirit that they should throw away the 
arts of civilization, return to their skins for clothing, 
and to their bows and war-clubs for arms, renounce 
the intoxicating drinks of the white men for pur© 



INDIAN CONFEDERACY. 189 

water, and, in a word, resume all the customs of 
their ancestors. The Americans, he said, had' 
driven the Indians from the seacoast, end were 
now preparing to push them into the Jakes, so 
that they had no alternative but to make a stand 
where they were, and drive back these insatiable 
intruders to the other side of the Alleghany Mount- 
ains. 

The plan of this league was in many respects 
similar to that formed by Pontiac. Tecumseh's 
intention was to surprise the posts of Detroit, Fort 
Wayne, Chicago, St. Louis, and Vincennes, and 
to unite all the tribes from the borders of New- 
York to the banks of the Mississippi. 

As early as the year 1807, the Shawanese chief 
and his brother the Prophet were actively engaged 
in sending their emissaries, with presents and war- 
belts, to the most distant tribes, to induce them to 
join in the confederacy ; and when the comet ap. 
peared in 1811, the latter artfully turned it to ac- 
count, by practising on the superstitions of the 
savages.* Thus the fame and the influence of the 
Prophet spread rapidly among the tribes of the 
Northwest. 

On the 4th of May, a special mission, consisting 
of deputies from the Ottawas, was sent to a distant 
post upon the borders of Lake Superior, and a 
* Drake. 



190 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

grand council being there assembled, it was ad- 
dressed by Le Marquoit, or the Trout. He told 
the Indians that he had been sent by the messen- 
ger and representative of the Great Spirit, and 
that he was commissioned to deliver to them a 
speech from the " first man whom God had created, 
said to be in the Shawanese country.''* 

He then informed them what were the instructions 
of the Great Spirit in the succeeding address : " I 
am the father of the English, of the French, of the 
Spaniards, and of the Indians. I created the first 
man, who was the common father of all these peo- 
ple as well as of yourselves, and it is through him, 
whom I have awaked from his long sleep, that I now 
address you. But the Americans I did not make. 
They are not my children, but the children of the 
Evil Spirit. They grew from the scum of the great 
water when it was troubled by the Evil Spirit, and 
the froth was driven into the woods by a strong 
east wind. They are numerous, but I hate them. 
My children, you must not speak of this talk to 
the whites ; it must be hidden from them. I am 
now on the earth, sent by the Great Spirit to in- 
struct you. Each village must send me two or 
more principal chiefs, to represent you, that you 
may be taught. The bearer of ibis talk must point 
out to you the path to my wigwam*. I could not 

* American State Papers. 



CONDITION OF DETROIT. 191 

come myself to L'Arbre Croche, because the world 
is changed from what it was. It is broken and 
leans down, and as it declines the Chippewas and 
all beyond will fall off and die ; therefore you must 
come to see me and be instructed. Those villages 
which do not listen to this talk will be cut off from 
the face of the earth."* 

It was by such means that the savages were 
roused to attack the frontier settlements of the 
West, and afterward to unite with the English in 
their war with the United States. 

In consequence of these menacing movements 
of the Indians, it was considered advisable to con- 
struct a stockade around the town of Detroit for 
its defence. The population was as yet small. 
There had been, indeed, up to that time but little 
to encourage the settlement of the country. The 
land had not been offered for sale, and a great 
portion of Western New-York was still unoccupied : 
not a single steamer navigated the lakes, nor had 
any roads been made into the interior. 

Nor was the neighbourhood of Detroit without 
symptoms of Indian disaffection. In September, 
1809, a special council of the Hurons was called, 
near Brownstown, and, at the instigation of their 
principal chief, Walk-in-lhe- Water, they freely 
spoke of their grievances to Governor Hull, The 

" American State Papers. 
P 



192 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

speech addressed by this chief to the governor, 
setting forth the title of his tribe to a large tract 
of territory near the mouth of the Detroit River, 
which was claimed by the United States under the 
treaty of Greenville, shows how much dissatisfied 
they were with this treaty, and with the encroach- 
ments of the Americans upon their soil. In the 
midst of all these evidences of discontent on the 
part of the Indians, Michigan remained in a com- 
paratively defenceless state. There were at this 
time in the whole territory but nine settlements of 
any importance ; nor was the character of the 
population at these points such that it could be 
expected to oppose any very active resistance in 
the conflict which seemed to be approaching. 

These settlements were situated on the Rivers 
Miami and Raisin, on the Huron of Lake Erie, on 
the Ecorce, Rouge, and Detroit Rivers, on the 
Huron of St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and the 
island of Mackinaw ; and, in addition to these, 
there was here and there a group of huts belonging 
to the French fur-traders. The villages upon the 
Maumee, the Raisin, and the Huron of Lake Erie 
contained a population of about thirteen hundred ; 
the post of Detroit, and the settlements on the Riv- 
ers Rouge and Ecorce, and on the Huron of St. 
Clair, numbered two thousand two hundred ; the 
island of Mackinaw, with the small detached log. 



MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS. 193 

houses, about a thousand : Detroit was garrisoned 
by ninety. four men, and Mackinaw by seventy-nine. 
Thus the entire population of the state was only 
about four thousand eight hundred, four fifths of 
whom were Canadian French, and the remainder 
chiefly Americans, with a few English and Scotch.* 

As there was no longer any doubt of the hostile 
intentions of the savages, it was deemed prudent 
to present a memorial to Congress, setting forth 
the defenceless condition of the territory, and pray- 
ing for aid from that body. Accordingly, on the 
27th of December, 1811, such a petition was drawn 
up, signed by the principal inhabitants of Detroit, 
and forwarded to Washington. 

The joint efforts of Tecumseh and the Prophet 
were successful in drawing a large body of Indians, 
probably not less than eight hundred, from the 
shores of Lake Superior to the station of the latter 
at Tippecanoe, though it is supposed that one third 
of their number died of want and hardship on the 
way.*|* Their plans were now nearly ripe for ac- 
tion, and parties of the Ottawas, the Miamis, the 
Chippewas, the Wyandots, the Mississagies, the 
Shawanese, and the Winnebagoes were to be seen 
with their bodies painted for war, and again seiz- 
ing the hatchet. 

The first hostile demonstrations were made 

* American State Papers. t Schoolcraft. 



19^^ HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

against the French settlements, where bands of 
savage warriors made their appearance, armed ibr 
battle, and painted in the most hideous manner, 
with feathers stuck in their hair, and strings of 
bears' claws about their necks, entering the houses 
by force, taking whatever they chose, and wanton- 
ly destroying with their tomahawks the beehives 
in the gardens of the settlers. Near the banks of 
the Kalamazoo, in the county of the same name, a 
smith's forge had been set up, where hatchets and 
knives were made for the approaching contest ; 
and at no great distance from it, in a retired spot, 
surrounded by a dense forest, the Indian women, 
with their children, had collected, for the purpose 
of raising corn to furnish a supply of food for the 
warriors. 

Still more flagrant acts of aggression were per- 
petrated in the State of Indiana, where numerous 
murders were committed, and horses and other 
property stolen. It had been for some time noticed 
that the savages were collecting about the Prophet's 
station, apparently with no friendly design. A 
conference was therefore held, in which it was in- 
sisted that these hordes should be made to return 
to their homes, that the property which had been 
stolen from the Americans should be restored, and 
that the murderers should be given up., 

Tecumseh, on his part, denied that any league, 



BATTLE OF THE WABASH. I f?5 

such as was complained of, had been formed, and 
protested that he and his brother had no other ob- 
ject in collecting the tribes together but to strength- 
en the amicable relations between them, and to im- 
prove their moral condition. In regard to the mur- 
derers of the whites, who were alleged to have taken 
refuge among his tribe, he denied that they were 
there, saying, at the same time, that even if they 
were, they ought to be forgiven, as he had forgiven 
the whites who had murdered his own people in 
Illinois.* 

All their plans having been fully matured, the 
contest at length began in earnest, on the banks of 
the Wabash, at the Prophet's town ; and, while the 
battle was raging, the Prophet was seen on an ad- 
joining eminence, singing a war-song, to inflame 
with greater desperation the savage combatants. 
It was now no longer doubtful that another fierce 
and obstinate struggle was to be encountered. 
The Indian warriors, excited by fanaticism and 
a thirst for blood, in opposition to their chiefs, has- 
tened from all sides towards the lake frontier to 
join Tecumseh. Meanwhile, the English on the 
opposite shores were looking with no small inter- 
est upon what was passing, regarding the savages 
as important allies to their own cause in the con- 
flict in which they expected shortly to be engaged. 

* Thatcher. 



196 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

" My son," said one of their agents to an Indian 
chief, " keep your eyes fixed on mc. My toma- 
hawk is now up ; be you ready, but do not strike 
till I give the signal."* 

The statement of the fact should not be omitted, 
that about this time the American Fur Company was 
formed, under the auspices of Mr. John Jacob Astor, 
of New. York. Its operations were carried on much 
after the manner of the old French and English 
companies, by establishing chains of posts along 
the lake shores. This company is still in exist- 
ence, and annually collects a great quantity of furs, 
which are sent by the way of the Mississippi or the 
lakes to New-York, from whence a large part of 
them are exported to foreign countries. This 
company has also an extensive fishery on Lake 
Superior, where they take great quantities of trout 
and whitefish, which are salted, packed in barrels, 
and sent to the different ports of the adjoining 
country.f 

* Dawson t Irving's Astoria. 



WA.R WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 19? 



CHAPTER IX. 

War declared between Great Britain and the United States. — 
Representations of Governor Hull.— Appointed to Command 
the Western Army. — Crosses to Sandwich and Addresses 
the Canadians.— Policy of Prevost.— Surrender of Detroit.— 
Tecumseh. — Conduct of Hull. — Expedition to the River Rai- 
sin. — Capture of Chicago. — Battle of the River Raisin. — 
General Harrison's Campaign. — Commodore Perry. — His 
Victory on Lake Erie.— General Harrison arrives at Maiden. 
—Marches to Detroit. — Battle of the Thames. — Death of 
Tecumseh.— His Character. — Attack on Mackinaw. — Peace 
Concluded, 

In June, 1812, war was declared between Great 
Britain and the United States. Without entering 
into particulars as to the causes of this war, suffice 
it to say that it was chiefly provoked by the con- 
tinued impressment of American seamen, the un- 
just capture of American vessels, and the enforce- 
ment of illegal blockades. 

Governor Hull, the year before, had represented 
to the general government the exposed and de- 
fenceless condition of Michigan. That the posts 
at Detroit, Mackinaw, and Chicago were badly 
fortified and with insufficient garrisons, while at 
no great distance from them there was a large 
body of British subjects, who could, in case of war, 



(98 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

be brought against them ; that the whole Amer- 
ican force consisted of but about five thousand men, 
whereas the militia of Canada amounted to more 
than one hundred thousand ; and that the forests 
about Detroit were filled with hostile savages, who 
were secretly pledged to the confederacy of Te- 
cumseh. This post he represented as of great 
importance, inasmuch as it commanded a wide ex- 
tent of country, and furnished a point of support for 
operations against the Indians of the upper lakes. 
He proposed, therefore, that a powerful naval ar- 
mament should be equipped on Lake Erie, suffi- 
cient to command that inland sea, and to co-op- 
erate effectively with the force at Detroit ; or, if 
that were not done, that a strong detachment of 
troops should be marched from Niagara, to act in 
conjunction with those under his command in the 
invasion of the British provinces.* 

A body of troops was soon collected at Dayton, 
in Ohio, consisting of about twelve hundred men, 
raised by order of the President of the United 
States, and their number was somewhat increased 
by volunteers. These troops were formed into 
three regiments, under the command of Colonels 
M'Arthur, Finelly, and Cass, and a fourth regi- 
ment, about three hundred strong, under Col. Mil- 
ler, afterward joined them, the whole being under 
* American State Papers. 



GENERAL HULL AT DETROIT. 199 

the command of General Hull, the governor of 
Michigan. 

With this force General Hull marched from 
Dayton towards Detroit, and soon arrived at the 
Maumee of the lakes. The dense forests through 
which they had to pass, wholly without roads, op- 
posed formidable obstacles to their progress. At 
the rapids of the Maumee a vessel was procured 
for the transportation of the sick soldiers, and of 
such bulky articles as would encumber the army. 
As this vessel was proceeding for Detroit by the 
way of the channel leading to Maiden, she was 
captured by the British, who communicated to 
the Americans the first news of the declaration of 
war.* 

On the fifth of July General Hull arrived at De- 
troit, where his troops immediately set themselves 
to work to prepare for the coming contest. Four 
days afterward he received a communication from 
the secretary of war, investing him with discre- 
tionary power either to seize Maiden and advance 
into Canada, or to remain on the defensive. That 
place formed the most prominent and command- 
ing position upon this part of the lake coast, and 
its possession would give him advantages in any 
future operations against the provinces of Canada. 
He therefore crossed the Detroit River with his 
* Willard. 



200 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

army, and established himself at Sandwich. From 
his headquarters at this place he issued a prock- 
mation* addressed to the Canadians, setting forth 
his objects in invading their country, and inviting 
them to place themselves under the protection of 
the United States ; protesting, at the same time, 
against the barbarity of employing the savages, 
and threatening indiscriminate retaliation against 
all who should be found fighting by their side.f 
It was hoped that by this means the French Ca- 
nadians would be induced either to join the Amer- 
leans or remain neutral. 

Many of the American officers were anxious to 
proceed immediately to the attack of Maiden, but 
it was determined to wait for heavy artillery to be 
brought from Detroit. The army therefore re- 
mained quietly at Sandwich, merely sending out 
occasional foraging parties to procure provisions. 

General Hull wished to ascertain what was the 
actual state of things at Maiden, and he accord- 
ingly detached Colonel Cass, with two hundred and 
eighty men, to reconnoitre that position. On 
reaching the River Canard, he dislodged a picket- 
guard of the enemy, killing ten of their number, 

* This energetic and well-written address is said to hare 
been from the pen of Governor, then Colonel, C^'is.— Set Ap- 
pendix F. 

f Brannan's Official Letters. 



SURRENDER OF MACKINAW. 201 

and seizing the bridge which they had been sta- 
tioned there to defend. This bridge was only 
about four miles from Maiden, and Colonel Cass 
was anxious to keep possession of it, to aid them 
in their contemplated attack upon that place. 
This, however, was thought inexpedient by Gen- 
eral Hull, as such a course, he said, would bring 
on a general engagement, which he wished at that 
moment to avoid, as his artillery had not yet ar- 
rived, and a considerable detachment had been 
sent away from his army.* 

While the Americans were thus stationary at 
Sandwich, a British force was despatched from the 
Canada side to take possession of the island of 
Mackinaw. The whole garrison of this post w^as 
only fifty-seven men, under the command of Lieu- 
tenant Hanks ; and the first intimation which this 
officer received of the declaration of war was the 
arrival of a body of British troops, supported by 
more than a thousand Indian warriors, consisting 
of Sioux, Winnebagoes, Talleswain Ottawas, and 
Chippewas. The savages, it appears, had been 
directed, in case of resistance, to show no quarter, 
and the odds being so fearfully against him, the 
American officer immediately surrendered. A de- 
tachment, under the command of Capt. Brush, had 
been sent by Governor Meigs, of Ohio, to escort 
* Whiting's Discourse. 



202 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

a quantity of provisions destined for the Ameri. 
can army, and General Hull, being informed that a 
body of Indians had left Maiden to intercept this 
convoy, despatched Major Van Horn, with two 
hundred men, for its protection. On arriving at 
Brownstown, this detachment was suddenly at- 
tacked by the savages, who, from behind a breast- 
work of logs and the trunks of trees, opened a 
deadly fire upon the American troops. Major 
Van Horn, finding himself unable to contend 
against the superior numbers of the enemy, re- 
treated to Detroit, leaving eighteen of his men 
dead on the field.* 

The ordnance he was waiting for from Detroit 
not having arrived, on the 8th of August General 
Hull convened a council of war for the purpose of 
deciding what should be done, when it was deter- 
mined to remain two days longer, and at the expira- 
tion of that time to make an attempt upon Maiden 
at all hazards. Information, however, having been 
received in the mean time that the garrison at 
Maiden had been re-enforced, General Hull changed 
his resolution, withdrew his army from the British 
territory, and retired to Detroit. The reasons he 
assigned for so unexpected a movement were, that 
General Brock was on his way to Maiden with a 
considerable body of fresh troops ; that his commu- 
* Whiting's Discourse. 



BATTLE OF MONGUAGON. 203 

nication with Detroit was in danger of being cut 
off; and that the savage bands from the upper 
lakes, having no farther occupation in that quar- 
ter, would soon be pouring down upon him. 

As it was important to open a communication 
with the River Raisin, that the army might receive 
the supplies sent from Ohio, six hundred men, under 
Lieutenant-colonel Miller, had been detached by- 
General Hull for that object the day that he crossed 
the Detroit River to Frenchtown. Scarcely had 
this body reached Monguagon, when they were at- 
tacked by a superior force of British and Indians, 
the latter led on by Tecumseh, who opened upon 
them a destructive fire from their usual lurking, 
places behind trees and fallen timber, and in thickets 
of brushwood. The enemy being protected by a 
dense forest on the left. Colonel Miller advanced 
into it with his whole line, ordering his men to de- 
liver a single fire, and then charge with the bayonet. 
This was gallantly done, and the British, as well 
as their savage allies, gave way before the fury of 
the onset. But, though thrown into confusion and 
broken, they still continued to fight with the utmost 
desperation. Tecumseh, although wounded, was 
seen in the thickest of the battle, and his shrill war- 
cry was heard above the fire of the musketry. An 
Indian, whose leg had been broken by a musket- 
ball, while writhing with the agony of his wound, 



204 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

loaded his rifle and shot an American horseman. 
Many of the savages had stationed themselves in 
the tops of the trees, from which they discharged 
their rifles and arrows with deadly aim. The 
British force was commanded by Major Muir, of 
the forty-first regiment, and was four hundred 
stronn; without the Indians. The American loss 
in the action was ten non-commissioned officers 
and privates killed and forty-five wounded of the 
regular troops, and eight killed and forty- five 
wounded of the Ohio and Michigan volunteers. 
The British retreated under the cover of their 
armed vessels, which were anchored in the Detroit 
River, while the savages scattered themselves in 
the woods. 

It was now determined to bring in the supplies 
needed for the army by a more circuitous route, 
and Colonels M'Arthur and Cass, with three hun- 
dred and fifty of the best troops, were detached 
from Detroit on the 13th of August for that object. 

On the 14th the British General Brock arrived 
at Maiden, and, advancing immediately to Sand- 
wich with all his forces, the following day he 
summoned General Hull to surrender. " It is far 
from my intention," he said, " to join in a war of 
extermination, but you must be aware that the 
numerous body of Indians who have attached them- 
selves to my troops will be beyond my control the 



GENERAL BROCK AND TECUMSEII. 205 

moment the contest commences." To this menace 
the American general answered, " I have no other 
reply to make than that I am prepared to meet 
any force which may be at your disposal." 

The character of General Hull seems to have 
been well understood by the British commander. 
Indeed, in addition to the evidence he had given of 
indecision in not advancing against Maiden, it was 
alleged that a portion of his correspondence, found 
on board an American vessel captured near that 
place, but too clearly evinced a want of those qual- 
ities which should distinguish a military command- 
er.* 

Tecumseh, with his warriors, was at this time 
with the British general, to aid him in his projected 
attack upon the American post; and the latter, 
being anxious to acquire some knowledge of the 
country around Detroit, that he might avail himself 
of it in case he should from any cause be obliged 
to retreat into the neighbouring forest, applied to 
this chief for information. Tecumseh took a strip 
of elm bark, stretched it upon the ground, and 
placed a stone upon each corner. Then with his 
scalping knife he delineated upon it an accurate 
representation of the country, with its swamps, 
woods, and rivers. Pleased with this display of 
ingenuity, and to show his gratitude for the impor- 

* Whiting's Discourse. 



206 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

tant services which this renowned chief had render- 
ed to the British cause, Brock took his sash from 
his waist and presented it to him. The savage, 
however, would not wear it, but gave it to the 
Wyandot chief Round-Head, " because," said he, 
" he is an older and better warrior than I am." 
Before the British crossed to the American side, 
their commander expressed a hope that the In- 
dians, in case Detroit was taken, would not mas- 
sacre the defenceless inhabitants. " No," answer- 
ed Tecumseh ; " I despise them too much to have 
anything to do with them." 

As soon as he received the refusal to capitulate, 
Brock commenced a cannonade upon the American 
fort from across the river. This was answered 
from the opposite shore with considerable effect. 
An armed vessel being now seen about a mile be- 
low Detroit, it was supposed that the British in- 
tended to cross there, and Captain Snelling was 
detached with a body of troops to prevent it. It 
was suggested at the same time that a single piece 
of heavy ordnance would compel the British armed 
vessel to remove from her position, and keep the 
enemy from landing. This advice was, however, 
disregarded, and Captain Snelling was recalled to 
the fort by break of day.* 

Very early on the morning of the 16th, the whole 

* Whiting's Discourse. 



COWARDICE OF GEN. HULL. 207 

British force was seen slowly crossing the river, 
jnder cover of their armed vessel, and they soon 
landed, and advanced to Springwells without oppo- 
sition. Here they halted, while the British general 
sent a second summons to the commander of the 
American post to surrender. It was not long, 
however, before the enemy was again seen ad- 
vancing, his force being composed of regulars, and 
of volunteers dressed in British uniforms, approach- 
ing nearer and nearer, as they moved deliberately 
through the forest bordering on the river, support- 
ed by their Indian allies under Maissot, Walk-in- 
the- Water, and Tecumseh. The American sol- 
diers were impatiently waiting for orders to fire 
upon the advancing column, when all at once a 
white flag was hoisted upon the walls of the fort. 
General Hull, with cannon planted, and poised to 
carry destruction into the ranks of the enemy, with 
a force which, to say the least, could have success- 
fully resisted any immediate attack, suddenly gave 
orders that the detachments posted outside of the 
pickets and those on the ramparts should retire 
within the fort. Detroit, in a word, was given up 
without a shot being fired. The American soldiers 
dashed their muskets upon the ground in an agony 
of mingled shame and indignation. The regular 
troops were surrendered as prisoners of war, all 
the public property was given up, and no stipula- 
Q 



208 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

tions were made in behalf of the Canadian c.iHes. 
The honour of the American arms was tarnished, 
and General Hull was disgraced forever. The 
detachments under Colonel Cass and Captain Brush 
had been included in the capitulation, but they for- 
tunately escaped the disgrace that had been pre- 
pared for them. 

General Hull was tried for treason and coward- 
ice before a court-martial, and, though acquitted 
on the first charge, was convicted on the second, 
and sentenced to be shot ; but, in consideration of 
his former services in the war of the Revolution, he 
was pardoned by the president.* 

There would seem to be no doubt that the con- 
duct of General Hull was not that of a brave and 
efficient officer. He neglected to advance into 
Canada when he might have done so with a fair 
prospect of success ; he evinced a want of firm- 
ness in resisting the enemy ; and, finally, he gave 
up an important post, that was prepared for a siege, 
without firing a gun in its defence ; surrender- 
ing, at the same time, the entire territory under 
his charge. 

On the other hand, it has been said in his de- 
fence that he was in the midst of an immense wil- 
derness, filled with savages, where he was cut off 
from all aid from the East. It has been alleged, 
* Whiting's Discourse. 



SURRENDER OF CHICAGO. 209 

too hat a spirit of insubordination prevailed among 
the nilitia, and that party strife among them ran 
higl But we would draw a veil over the subject. 
Thi much is in his favour, that the verdict of the 
cou exonerated him from the guilt of treason, 
wha over might have been the verdict of his country. 
IV iantime, the military post of Chicago also 
cap ulated. Influenced by a fear of the hostile 
Ind ms on the borders of Lake Michigan, General 
Hu' . had, on the first breaking out of the war, or- 
dei ;d Captain Heald, the commander of this post, 
to abandon it and retire to Fort Wayne. A large 
bo( y of savages had collected around it, and they 
we e promised all the surplus stores if they would 
ab ,ain from harassing the detachment on its with- 
dr wu\ from the fort. There was among these 
st' ;es a quantity of pov/der and whiskey, either of 
\\ .ich it was thought imprudent to relinquish to the 
I dians ; the former was accordingly deposited in 
L well, and the latter thrown away. The savages, 

lowever, found out what had been done, and they 
were perceived collecting around the fort, apparent- 
ly with hostile intentions. The garrison, consist- 
ing of fifty-four regulars and twelve militiamen, ac- 
companied by twelve famihes who had fled there 
for protection, retired from the post, and had not 
*)roceeded more than half a mile when they were 

ttacked by the savages. Having imprudently 



210 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

destroyed the means of defending theniselves, they 
were soon compelled to surrender, which they did 
not do, however, until about half iheir number had 
been killed, and several of the women and children. 
The prisoners were distributed among the neigh- 
bouring tribes, and on the following morning the 
fort was set on fire and burned to the ground. 

Being now in possession of Michigan, the British 
established a provisionary government at Detroit, 
the savages, meanwhile, being permitted at pleasure 
to ravage the frontier settlements and insult the 
defenceless inhabitants. 

But, although the British arms had been thus far 
successful, it was determined to wrest from them 
the advantages they had gained. Accordingly, 
three separate armies were assembled : that of the 
North, stationed upon the shores of Lake Cham- 
plain, and under the command of General Hamp- 
ton ; that of the centre, between Lakes Ontario 
and Erie, under General Dearborn ; and that ot 
the West, under General Harrison, to take up its 
position at the head of Lake Erie. The protection 
of the Michigan frontier, therefore, devolved more 
immediately upon the latter.* The defence of 
Upper Canada was at this time committed to Col. 
onels Proctor and Vincent, and that of the lower 
province to General Sheaffe, under the direction of 
the governor-general of the provinces. 
* Whiting's Discourse 



ENCAMPMENT AT FRENCHTOWN. 211 

General Harrison lost no time in marching hi3 
army towards the lake frontier. He sent forward 
a detachment of his forces to Presque Isle, to wait 
there for the arrival of the main body ; and Gen- 
eral Winchester, with eight hundred Kentuckians, 
was ordered to advance to Frenchtown, on the 
River Raisin, where he arrived on the 13th of Jan- 
uary. 

This officer took up a position on the French, 
town side of the river, close to its banks. Sentinels 
were placed around the encampment, and the night 
being cold, the troops spent the greater part of it 
in ranging about the village. During the evening, 
a French Canadian from Maiden gave information 
that" a body of British and Indians, amounting in all 
to about three thousand men, were preparing to 
start from that place for the River Raisin soon after 
he left. No notice, however, was taken of this in- 
telligence, from a belief that it was without any 
foundation, and, consequently, no precautionary 
measures were adopted, the main road by which 
alone the enemy could pass being left entirely 
unguarded. So completely unapprehensive, indeed, 
was the American commander of any danger, that 
he had taken lodgings on the opposite bank of the 
river, at the house of a Frenchman. 

Early on the morning of the 22d of January, 
just after the reveille had been beat, a rapid fire of 



212 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

musketry was heard from the sentinels. The ene* 
my, it appears, had arrived without being observed 
during the night, and taken up a position behind a 
small ravine, from which he now opened a tremen- 
dous fire of shells, and of grape and cannon shot, 
upon the American camp. The consternation of 
the Americans was greatly increased by the ad- 
vance of the British troops under Proctor, and by 
the fiendish yells of the savages. A general panic 
ensued, and great numbers were cut down. In 
the mean time, General Winchester arrived from 
the opposite shore, and attempted to rally his re. 
treating soldiers ; but, exposed as they were to a 
heavy fire from the enemy, they continued to fall 
back. Orders were then given to incline towards 
the centre, and retire within the pickets of their 
camp. These orders, however, appear not to have 
been heard, and the troops, pressed by the bayonets 
of the British regulars, and attacked by the sav- 
ages on their right, retreated in great confusion 
upon the ice across the river.* 

An attempt was now made to re-enforce the right 
wing, but without success. Owing to the sudden- 
ness of the attack, and the want of all preparation 
to meet it, there was neither system, discipline, nor 
obedience. The savages had posted themselves 
along the edge of the surrounding forest, at every 
* Dawson. 



SURRENDER OF FRENCHTOWN. 213 

^oint where there was any chance for retreat. 
They also completely commanded the long narrow 
lane leading to the village, and here great numbers 
of the Americans were killed. On the borders of 
the wood, the two chiefs Round- Head and Split- 
Log urged on their warriors to the commission of 
the most frightful cruelties, and here the tomahawk 
and scalping-knife were dyed in blood. Colonel 
Allen was shot down, but Majors Graves and 
Madison continued gallantly to maintain their posi- 
tion within the pickets against all the attacks of 
the British, supported by their savage allies. Gen- 
eral Winchester had in the mean time been taken 
prisoner ; and not long after, a flag arrived from 
the British lines with orders addressed to Major 
Madison from that officer to cease hostilities, and 
surrender his troops prisoners of war. To this the 
former replied, that as the Indians were in the 
habit of massacring their prisoners, he would agree 
to no capitulation unless the safety of his men was 
first expressly guarantied. The surrender was 
finally adjusted upon the conditions that the lives of 
the soldiers should be protected, that individual 
property should be held sacred, that sleds should 
be sent the next morning with the wounded to Am- 
herstburgh, and that the sidearms of the officers 
should be restored at Maiden. The battle-field 
was covered with the lifeless forms of the brave 



214 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Kentuckians, who but a few hours before were 
seen full of hope, and glowing with all the ardour 
of patriotism. The painted savage and the British 
regular, the ardent and chivalrous son of high 
promise, who had been nursed in the lap of luxury, 
and the hardy yeoman, with his sleeves bared for 
battle, as they had been before rolled up while 
guiding the plough across his peaceful prairies, lay 
side by side on this field of death.* 

Shortly after the action. Colonel Proctor marched 
away with his regular troops and most of his sav- 
age allies, the remainder being left to guard the 
prisoners. At about sunrise the next morning, 
however, most of the Indians were seen coming 
back, painted in the most hideous manner, and in 
a state of intoxication. It was not long before 
they set up their horrid yells, and, rushing into the 
houses where the wounded prisoners were lying, 
they tore from them their blankets, and then de- 
spatched them with their tomahawks. Among 
these unhappy men there was a young Kentuckian 
of extraordinary beauty. Struck with his perfect 
proportions and manly grace, a chief claimed him 
as his prize, and led him in triumph, and in seem, 
ing admiration, through the village. But this was 
only in mockery of his victim ; the tomahawk was 
commissioned to do its horrid work, and his cluster- 
* Dawson. 



MASSACRE AT FRENCIITOWN. 215 

ing ringlets were soon seen waving from the scalp- 
stick of the merciless savage. 

Most of the prisoners were confined in two 
houses. These the savages set on fire, and, as their 
victims attempted to escape from the windows, 
they pushed them back into the flames. Major 
Woolfolk, General Winchester's secretary, was 
shot dead in the street ; and, to complete the atrocity 
of this bloody transaction, the bodies of those who 
were slain were left where they fell, to feed the 
wolves of the neighbouring forest. The condition 
of such of the prisoners as escaped immediate death 
was not much better. These were marched to- 
wards Maiden ; and as soon as, from fatigue and 
exhaustion, they were unable to proceed farther, 
they were immediately despatched, and their bod- 
ies left unburied. 

Meantime General Harrison was in Ohio, ma- 
king every effort in his power to overcome the diffi. 
culties by which he was surrounded. Michigan, 
from the nature and position of the country, sep- 
arated as it was by a dense forest from the inhabit- 
ed portions of the United States, and occupied by 
savage tribes hostile to their cause, was a con- 
quest of great value to the British. It gave them 
the command, too, of the posts on the upper lakes, 
and thus they were enabled to control the resources 
of the vast tract of territory along those inland 
R 



216 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

seas, and of the country extending from the western 
borders of Indiana and Illinois to the mouth of the 
Maumee. 

Thus completely in the possession of the British 
and Indians, and protected by the intervening for- 
ests, Lake Ene seemed to be the only channel by 
which Michigan could be approached with a pros- 
pect of recovering it from the enemy. It became, 
therefore, an object of great importance to obtain 
the mastery on that lake, which was then com- 
manded by an English fleet under Commodore 
Barclay. 

At this conjuncture, Oliver Hazard Perry, a 
young officer twenty-eight years of age, then in 
charge of a flotilla of gun-boats at Newport, anx- 
ious to obtain more active service, turned his at- 
tention to this lake ; and his views having been 
approved of by the naval department, he proceeded 
without loss of time to the port of Erie, for the 
purpose of building and equipping a fleet there, 
sufficiently powerful to give him the command of 
its waters.* A braver or more efficient officer 
could have been nowhere found. He was in the 
prime of early manhood, active, vigorous, and in- 
telligent, generous and self-sacrificing even to a 
fault, and possessed of those fine moral traits which 
gave a finish to his character, and admirably har 
* Cooper. 



VICTORY OF PERRY. 217 

monized with the manly beauty of his person. H© 
laboured with indefatigable zeal to hasten the con- 
struction and equipment of his vessels, and, after en- 
countering and overcoming every kind of discour- 
agement, he at length found himself in the command 
of a sufficient force to meet the enemy. As, how- 
ever, there was a difficulty in crossing the bar at 
the mouth of the harbour, and he was closely 
watched by the British commander, he remained 
quietly at anchor in port until a favourable oppor- 
tunity should occur to sally forth. At length the 
fortunate moment arrived, and the American fleet 
was got safely over the bar, and made its way to- 
wards the upper end of the lake. On reaching 
Put-in Bay, Captain Perry there came to anchor, 
impatient for an opportunity to measure his strength 
with the enemy, and to wrest from him the superior- 
ity on this inland sea. 

On the 10th of September, at dawn of day, as 
their anchors were apeak, and the crews of the 
different vessels vvere shaking out their topgallant- 
sails, the enemy were seen bearing down, under 
light sail, in order of battle, with their hulls newly 
painted, and the crimson flag of England waving 
at their mastheads. The British fleet, consisting 
of the ships Detroit, carrying nineteen guns, the 
Queen Charlotte, of seventeen guns, the schooner 
Lady Prevost, of thirteen guns, the brig Hunter, of 



218 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

ten guns, the sloop Little Belt, of three guns, and 
the schooner Chippewa, of one gun and mounting 
two swivels, was commanded by a veteran officer 
of tried skill and valour. 

The British vessels no sooner made their ap. 
pearance than the American fleet prepared for ac- 
tion and stood out upon the lake. It consisted of 
the brigs Lawrence, of twenty guns ; Niagara, of 
twenty guns ; Caledonia, of three guns ; the schoon- 
ers Ariel, of four guns ; Scorpion, of two guns ; 
Somers, of two guns; the sloop Trippe, of one gun; 
and the schooners Tigress and Porcupine, each 
of one gun.* 

While the two fleets were thus approaching each 
other, the savages were not idle. Tecumseh had 
stationed himself with a band of warriors upon 
the island at the mouth of the Detroit River, wait- 
ing with intense interest the issue of the contest. 
No sooner was any change made in the movements 
of the hostile squadrons, than he paddled swiftly 
over to Maiden to communicate the fact. From 
the first roar of their guns he predicted the suc- 
cess of the English, and was greatly surprised 
when the news was brought to him that they had 
struck their colours to the Americans. 

The order of battle decided on by Commodore 
Perry was to attack the Detroit, the British flag- 

* Cooper. 



BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 219 

ship, himself with the Lawrence, to oppose the 
Niagara to the Royal Charlotte, and the rest of his 
fleet was ordered to act as circumstances might 
require, and assail the enemy as they should be 
directed by signals, while the Ariel and Scorpion 
were instructed to take a position on the weather- 
bow and ahead of the Lawrence, in order to draw 
off a portion of the fire from that ship. 

As the two fleets neared each other, the action 
was commenced by the enemy's flag-ship, the De- 
troit, she being mounted with long guns, while the 
American vessels had only short pieces. The 
American commander, resolved to capture the hos- 
tile fleet or perish in the attempt, bore down direct- 
ly for the Detroit, making signals at the same time 
for all his vessels to come into close action. Owing 
to causes which are not very clearly understood, 
the Niagara did not bear down to his aid. Still he 
was undaunted, although alone, and exposed to 
nearly the whole of the enemy's fire. Ranging 
along the front of their squadron, single and un- 
supported, he successively poured upon their ships 
from the battery of the Lawrence tremendous 
broadsides of ball and grape, while he received 
from them, in return, a no less destructive fire, 
which shivered his spars, and covered his decks 
with wounded and dead. Such a fire no single 
vessel could long withstand. The hull of his ship 



220 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

was pierced in every direction, twenty-one of his 
men had been killed, sixty-one were wounded, and 
only fifteen remained who were capable of duty. 
All of his cannon except one had been dismount- 
ed, and this he continued to work with Iris owa^ 
hands.* 

His ship being thus a complete wreck, and in- 
capable of being longer defended, he determined 
to abandon her ; and ordering his boat, amid a 
shower of shot he proceeded to the Niagara, which 
vessel then lay at a considerable distance, and had 
not been yet brought into close action. Meeting 
Captain Elliott at the gangway, he requested him, 
to take the boat in which he had come and bring 
up the rest of the vessels, while he himself would 
bear down upon the enemy with the Niagara. The 
flag of the Lawrence now came down, amid the 
cheers of the British sailors, who supposed that the 
American fleet had struck. Ordering every sail 
on board the Niagara to be set, he was not long in 
closing with the enemy's ships ; and passing along 
their line, he poured upon them, in quick succession, 
tremendous broadsides. Having driven the Royal 
Charlotte out of line, he next attacked the Detroit, 
and by the severity of his fire drove her men from 
tli.eir quarters. Captain Elliott now came up with 
the smaller vessels, and, taking a raking position 

* Slidell's Naval Sketches. 



SURRENDER OF THE BRITISH FLEET. 22\ 

ur-der the stern of the Detroit, assisted to completa 
the victory. The slaughter on board this ship was 
dreadful : twenty-seven of her men had been killec* 
and ninety-six wounded. At length a white hand 
kerchief was hung out on the end of a boarding, 
pike as a signal of surrender ; the triumph was 
complete, and all the vessels of the enemy were 
taken. The dead of both fleets were buried on an 
island in the lake. 

The conduct of Perry was no less distinguished 
by humanity after the action than it had been by 
skill and bravery while the battle was raging ; and 
the British commander long afterward expressed 
his grateful recollection of the generous courtesy 
of his youthful conqueror. It is thus that the 
horrors of war are in some degree softened by a 
display of the kindlier feelings of our nature.'^ 

This brilliant success gave to the Americans the 
uncontrolled command of the lake, and on the 23d 
of September their fleet landed twelve hundred 
men near Maiden. Colonel Proctor, however, had 
previously evacuated that post, after setting fire to 
the fort and to the public storehouses. Commo- 
dore Perry in the mean time passed up to Detroit 
with the Ariel, to assist in the occupation of that 
town, while Captain Elliott, with the Lady Prevost, 

* See Mackenzie's Life of Perry, voL ii. 



222 HISTORY OF Michigan. 

the Scorpion, and the Tigress, advanced into Laice 
St. Clair to intercept the enemy's stores.* 

Thus General Harrison, on his arrival at Detroit 
and Maiden, found both places abandoned by the 
enemy, and was met by the Canadians asking for 
his protection. Tecumseh proposed to the Biit- 
ish commander that they should hazard an engage- 
ment at Maiden ; but the latter foresaw that he 
should be exposed to the fire of the American fleet 
in that position, and therefore resolved to march 
to the Moravian towns upon the Thames, near St. 
Clair Lake, above Detroit, and there try the chance 
of a battle. 

His force at this time consisted of about nine 
hundred regular troops, and fifteen hundred In- 
dians commanded by Tecumseh. The American 
army amounted to two thousand seven hundred 
men, of whom one hundred and twenty were reg- 
ulars, a considerable number militia, about thirty 
Indians, and the remainder Kentucky riflemen, well 
mounted, and mainly young men, full of ardour, 
and burning with a desire to revenge the massacre 
of their friends and relatives at the River Raisin. 

The American general lost no time in seeking 

the enemy, whom he found drawn up in order of 

battle, and prepared to receive him. On his right, 

in a swamp, was posted Tecumseh with his Indian 

* Cooper. 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 223 

warriors, while the space between them and the 
river was occupied by the regular troops. The 
American general extended his line to the same 
length with that of the British infantry, his small 
body of regulars he ordered to seize the enemy's 
artillery, and the few friendly Indians were direct- 
ed to act on his flank.* 

It had been determined to penetrate the swamp 
and turn the right of the Indians, as they could 
not cross the river, and the infantry were on the 
point of making this movement, when it was as- 
certained that the British were drawn up in a 
double line, and that, to enable them to occupy the 
whole space between the swamp and the river, 
they had been obliged to open their files. The 
plan of attack was therefore changed, and Colonel 
Johnson, with his mounted Kentuckians, was or- 
dered to charge the enemy in front. These brave 
volunteers rushed upon the British column with 
such impetuosity that, unable to resist the fierce- 
ness of the onset, it broke and fled. Cleared of 
the regular force of the enemy, the battle-field now 
exhibited a series of personal encounters between 
the Kentuckians and Indians. Tecumseh, being 
wounded, it is said, and exasperated to desperation 
by the flight of his a/lies, resolved to sell his life 
as dearly as possible. Rushing, therefore, into the 
* Willard. 



224 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

hottcsC of llie conflict, he soon fell, pierced by a 
pistol-ball, and instantly expired. 

This renowned chief deserves a passing notice. 
He possessed a noble figure, his countenance was 
strikingly expressive of magnanimity, and he was 
distinguished by moral traits far above his race. 
He was not remarkable for eloquence or even for 
intellect, but he was a warrior m the broadest In- 
dian sense of the word. Without the far-reaching 
views of Pontiac or his hereditary rank, still, in 
sudden action and desperate valour, he showed 
himself superior to that chief; and, though a new 
man, he acquired unbounded influence, and placed 
himself above all competitors as the great cham- 
pion of Indian rights. While his brother, the 
Prophet, was the principal manager of the confed- 
eracy in all that related to its organization and 
plans, he was its executive arm in the field. There 
were other peculiarities by which he was no less 
distinguished. Like Pontiac, he manifested a deep 
interest in regard to the manners and customs of 
the whites ; he would not sanction the barbarities 
practised by the Indians, and he disdained the per. 
sonal adornments in which they so much delight. 
Although holding the rank of a brigadier-general 
in the British servir,e, he pertinaciously adhered to 
his Indian garb ; a deerskin coat, with leggins of 
the same material, was his constant dress, and in 



HARRISON AND PERRy's PROCLAMATION. 225 

his he was found dead at the battle of the Thames. 
During the latter years of his life he was almost 
incessantly engaged either in the council or at the 
head of his warlike bands, and he sunk at last on 
the field of his glory, with tomahawk in hand and 
the cry of battle upon his lips. 

•' Like monumental bronze, unchanged his look, 
A soul which pity touch'd, but never shook ; 
Train'd, from his tree-rock'd cradle to his bier, 
. The fierce extremes of good and ill to brook ; 
Unchanging, fearing but the shame of fear, 
A stoic of the woods, a man without a tear." 

With the death of Tecumseh the confederacy 
was dissolved, and a peace was concluded with the 
Ottawas, Chippewas, Miamis, and Pottawatamies. 

The American fleet was now employed in re- 
moving the ammunition and stores from the cap- 
tured British posts; and on the 18th of October 
General Harrison and Commodore Perry issued a 
joint proclamation at Detroit for the better govern- 
ment of the territory of Michigan, and guaranty- 
ing to the inhabitants their rights of property, and 
the enjoyment of their ancient usages and laws. 

The island of Mackinaw was now the only part 
of the territory remaining in the possession of the 
^nemy. This being a post of great importance, 
from its commanding the upper lakes, and being 
the centre of the fur-trade, a fleet under Commo- 
dore Sinclair, with a body of land forces under 



226 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Colonel Croghan, the gallant defender of Sandusky, 
was despatched in July, 1814, for the purpose of 
capturing it. After reconnoitring the coast near 
the island, the commodore proceeded to the neigh- 
bouring island of St. Joseph, where he destroyed 
a few trading-posts and then returned. 

Meanwhile, the British commandant was actively 
employed in strengthening his defences, and in 
summoning to his aid the nearest savage tribes. 
It was at first proposed to attack the post near the 
village, as that part was the most free from trees, 
and, consequently, afforded less covert to the In- 
dians. This, however, was objected to by Sinclair, 
as his fleet would be here exposed to the fire of the 
fort. It was finally concluded to land on the north- 
eastern side of the island, although from this point 
they would be obliged to traverse its whole breadth, 
through a dense forest, in order to reach the British 
position. After marching some distance through 
the wilderness, on arriving at a small clearing, the 
detachment was fired on from all sides by the sav- 
ages stationed in the surrounding woods. Major 
Holmes, at the head of a considerable force, was 
directed to charge the enemy ; but, as he was gal- 
lantly executing the order, he was shot down by a 
rifle. ball. The fire, indeed, was so desti'uctive, 
that the advanced party was obliged to retreat to 
the main body, upon which the whole force retired 



CLOSE OF THE WAR. 227 

to their boats, abandoned the enterprise, and re- 
turned to Detroit, In consequence of this failure, 
the British retained possession of Mackinaw until 
the conclusion of peace. 

The victory of Commodore Perry having secured 
the command of Lake Erie, Proctor's army having 
been routed and the Indian confederacy broken up, 
nothing of special interest transpired in Michigan 
during the remainder of the war. Colonel Cass 
was left with a brigade for the protection of the 
territory, which he effectually accomplished, until 
the treaty of peace, concluded at Ghent on the 17th 
of February, 1815, put an end to all farther hos- 
tilities. 



228 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER X. 

Lewis Cass appointed Governor of the Territory. — Its Condition 
at that Time. — Public Lands brought into Market. — First 
Steamboat on the Lakes. — University Founded.— Expedition 
to Explore the Lakes.— The Clinton Canal. — Mr. Porter ap- 
pointed Governor. — Mode of making Surveys. — Controversy 
with Ohio. — Mr. Mason elected Governor. — State Organized. 
— Internal Improvements. — Education. — Conclusion. 

Michigan now emerged into a new existence. 
Colonel Cass, who had served with great crediV 
during the war, was appointed governor of the 
territory, and under his administration it gradually 
advanced in prosperity. 

Hitherto there had been but little inducement for 
immigration from the East : the public lands had 
not been brought into the market, and recently the 
country had been suffering under the devastation 
of war. The beautiful oak-openings on the Kala- 
mazoo, the fertile tracts on the borders of Grand 
River, the prairies of the St, Joseph, and the rich 
and inviting slopes along the shores of Lake Michi- 
gan, were traversed only by the wild beast and the 
savage, and the streams navigated only by the 
bark canoe. The feeble settlements on the frontier 
had been converted into scenes of desolation ; no 



CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY. 229 

r\ .-ds through the interior had been constructed ; 



and the c.nly access to the country by land from 
the East, wan through the trackless wilderness dis- 
tinguished by the name of the Black Swamp, and 
by the military road along the Detroit River. 
Everything, therefore, was to be done to develop 
the resources of the territory, and to secure to it 
the advantages which, from its position and the fer- 
tiUty of its soil, it was entitled to enjoy. 

It would appear, however, that the character of 
the country in regard to the latter particular was 
at that time but little understood, as is shown by 
the following fact. In 1812, Congress had passed 
an act providing for the survey of the bounty-lands 
to be granted to the soldiers enlisting for the war 
which had then just commenced, and this survey 
was directed to be made in the territory of Michi 
gan. The persons employed for this object, how- 
ever, made so unfavourable a report in regard to 
the soil, representing it as marshy and everywhere 
steril, that in 1816 the act was repealed, and the 
quantity of land required for this purpose was or- 
dered to be surveyed in Arkansas and Illinois. 
The surveyors either did not make a thorough 
examination of the soil, or, what perhaps is more 
probable, they were deceived by the sandy nature 
of the oak-lands, which have a yellowish colour 
before they are brought into cultivation, but which, 



230 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN 

from the quantity of lime they contain, turn black 
after they are exposed to the action of the sun 
and air by the plough. 

During that year, however, and the two follow- 
ing, the country was more fully explored, and nu- 
merous tracts of fertile land, with a rolling surface, 
variegated by groves and lakes, were discovered. 
These lands were forthwith surveyed, and in 1817 
and 1818 portions of them were offered for sale,* 
showing the superiority of our enlightened and 
liberal laws, contrasted with the narrow policy of 
the former possessors of the soil. A great change 
now took place in public opinion in regard to the 
value of these lands, and subsequent surveys more 
fully confirmed the inaccuracy of the impressions 
which had hitherto prevailed in relation to them. 

With the introduction of steam navigation upon 
its vast inland seas, a new era may be said to have 
commenced in the history of the progress of the 
West. This was in 1819, when the first steam- 
boat, the Walk-in-the- Water, made her appearance 
on Lake Erie, crossing that lake and passing up 
to Mackinaw.f 

By the census taken about that time, the popula- 
tion of Michigan was ascertained to be eight thou- 
sand eight hundred and ninety-six. Detroit con- 
tained two hundred and fifty houses, and fourteen 
• Biddle's Discourse. t Schoolcraft. 



UNIVERSITY PROJECTED. 231 

hundred and fifteen inhabitants, independent of 
the garrison. The island of Mackinaw, which con. 
tinued to be a central mart for the fur-trade, had a 
stationary population of four hundred and fifty, 
which was at times increased to not less than two 
thousand by the Indians and traders who resorted 
there from the upper lakes. The settlement at 
the Sault de Ste. Marie contained only fifteen or 
twenty . houses, occupied by French and English 
families. 

Although, by the ordinance of 1787, lot number 
16 was directed to be reserved in every township 
for the support of common schools, no measures 
had yet been taken to introduce a system of public 
instruction, if we except the act passed by the gov- 
ernor and judges in 1817 for the establishment of 
what was styled in it the Catholepestemiadf or Uni- 
versity of Michigan. This act, which was drawn 
up by Augustus B. Woodward, chief justice of the 
territory, is a very curious document. He was a 
gentleman possessing extensive acquirements, but 
was not a little eccentric in his character, and the 
views he entertained on this and some other sub- 
jects were certainly not very practical. The phra- 
seology of the act is not its least singular feature, 
and would seem better suited to the age of my 
Lord Coke than to the understanding and condi- 
tion of a race of new settlers engaged in clearing 
S 



232 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

away the forest. This University was to have 
thirteen didaxia or professorships,* each of which 
was to be liberally endowed, and it was designed 
to lay broad and deep the foundations for a thor- 
ough education. 

Indeed, all Judge Woodward's projects seem to 
have been upon no very moderate scale. Detroit 
is indebted to him for a plan of the city laid out in 
the form of a cohweh, with public squares, a circus, 
a Campus Marlins, streets, cross-streets, avenues, 
&c., more vast in its conception and more com- 
plex in its design than ancient Rome, and requir- 
ing a longer period to fill it up than from the time 
of Romulus to our own day. The utilitarian ten- 
dencies of his successors, however, have made 
strange havoc with this magnificent plan, the 
traces of which are now nowhere visible but on 
the map. 

On the admission of Illinois into the Union in 
1818, all the territory lying north of that state and 
Indiana was annexed to Michigan ; and the follow- 
ing year Congress passed an act authorizing the 
election of a delegate from the territory to the na- 
tional Legislature, who should have the right of 
speaking, but not of voting. This was of great 
advantage to the inhabitants, as they were thereby 
provided with a representative through whom they 
* See Territorial Act of 1817. 



EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF CA.Sg. 233 

could make known their wants to the general gov- 
ernment. 

Michigan, meanwhile, gradually continued to ad- 
vance in population. The settlers extended them- 
selves along the banks of the Rivers Raisin, Huron, 
and St. Clair, and cleared away the forest from 
the spots where now stand the villages of Ann 
Arbor, Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Jackson, and Tecum- 
seh. 

That portion of the territory, however, situated 
upon the borders of the upper lakes, was then but 
little known ; and in 1820 an expedition was set 
on foot for the purpose of exploring it, to ascertain 
the numbers and condition of the Indian tribes in 
that quarter, and to select such positions as might 
be most favourable for its defence. This expedi- 
tion, which was under the direction of Governor 
Cass, was accompanied by a mineralogist, a topo- 
graphical engineer, and a physician; was. provi- 
ded with an escort of soldiers, and the command- 
ing officers of the posts along the lakes were or- 
dered to afford to it every facility in their power. 
The party started from Detroit on the 24th of 
May, in bark canoes, manned by voyageurs and 
Indians. 

Passing up the River St. Clair, they proceeded 
along the shores of Lake Huron, visited the island 
of Mackinaw, then maintained as a trading-post 



234 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

by the Northwest Company, and soon arrived at 
the Sault de Ste. Marie.* 

This was considered a favourable point for the 
establishment of a military post. By the treaty 
of Greenville, concluded in 1795, the Indians had 
agreed that all the lands which they had granted 
to the French or English should be transferred to 
the United States. This place they had ceded to 
the French, who formerly maintained a garrison 
here : it was clear, therefore, that it came within 
the provisions of that treaty. A council was 
therefore called, at which the Indian chiefs attend- 
ed, dressed in fine broadcloths and decorated with 
trinkets of British manufacture. The savages op- 
posed the proposed occupation, and sought to pre- 
vent it by denying all knowledge of the original 
cession ; and when it was fully explained to them, 
they still persisted in withholding their consent, 
though jn less positive terms, suggesting that their 
young men might prove unruly, and kill the cattle 
which should stray from the post. This being un- 
derstood as intended for a threat. Governor Cass 
replied that he would give himself no farther trou- 
ble to confer on the subject, but that, as sure as the 
rising sun would set in the west, so sure should an 
American garrison be established at that place, 
whatever might be their decision. f 

* «.>hoolc?«^t'8 Journal. t Ibid. 



CASS AND THE INDIANS. 235 

The chiefs, who appear to have been under Brit- 
ish influence, now spent several hours in discus- 
sion. Some of them were willing that the Amer- 
icans should occupy the post if there were no 
troops stationed there. At length a chief, who 
held the rank of a brigadier-general in the British 
service, seized his war-lance and struck it furious- 
ly on the ground, intimating thereby that the place 
would not be given up except to superior force, 
and the council soon afterward dispersed in a 
hostile spirit. 

The expedition under Governor Cass consisted 
of sixty-six men, of whom thirty were regular sol- 
diers, and the savages numbered about eighty war- 
riors. The latter occupied the site of the old 
French fort, and the Americans were drawn up 
upon the bank of the River St. Mary, a ravine sep- 
arating the two at a distance of five or six hundred 
yards.* 

While the Americans were waiting to see what 
would be the issue of the affair, the British flag 
was hoisted from the midst of the Indian encamp- 
ment by the chief who had shown so hostile a dis- 
position in the council. On discovering this. Gov- 
ernor Cass ordered his men to stand by their arms, 
and, taking an interpreter, proceeded directly to 
the Indian camp. Here he indignantly tore down 
* Schoolcraft's Journal. 



236 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the obnoxious flag, telling the chief who had hoisted 
it that it was an insult of the grossest kind ; that the 
flag was the emblem of national sovereignty ; that 
the ensigns of two different nations could never 
float on the same soil ; that they would not be per- 
mitted to raise any other than that of the United 
States ; and that, if they attempted it again, that 
power would set a strong foot upon their necks, 
and crush them to the earth. When he had said 
this the governor returned to his encampment, and 
a few minutes after he arrived there, the Indian 
women and children were seen quitting their lodges 
and getting on board their canoes. No act of hos- 
tility, however, was committed ; and some of the 
older chiefs, who had not been present at the coun- 
cil, came forward and made overtures of peace. 
At seven o'clock the same evening a treaty was 
concluded with them, by which they ceded to the 
United States a tract of four miles square around 
the Sault, including the portage, the site of the old 
French fort, and the village, reserving to them- 
selves the right of fishing at the falls, and of en- 
camping upon the shores. The calumet was smoked, 
and blankets, knives, silver trinkets, and broad- 
cloths were distributed among them.* 

Everything having been settled, the expedition 
started again, and proceeded along the shores of 
* Schoolcraft's Journal. 



RESULTS OF THE EXPEDITION. 237 

Lake Superior. Here they were struck with the 
appearance of the Pictured Rocks, which extend 
for miles along the shores of the lake, stained with 
a variety of hues by the washing of mineral wa- 
ters, and which exhibit to the delighted beholder 
the most singular scene imaginable of Nature's 
painting. They visited also the Doric Rock, which 
presents the aspect of a rude though magnificent 
piece of architecture, chiselled from the solid 
granite, and examined other curiosities on this part 
of the coast. The Copper Rock, at the mouth of 
the Ontonagon River, which has from time im. 
memorial been the subject of Indian superstition in 
this wild, sequestered region, they found particular- 
ly worthy of notice. 

Having completed its survey, the expedition re. 
turned to Detroit by the way of Lake Michigan. 
The results were a more accurate knowledge of 
the geography of the country and of the operations 
of the Northwest Fur Company, the selection 
of sites for a line of military posts, and several im- 
portant treaties with the Indian tribes, ceding 
valuable tracts of land to the United States. Mr. 
Henry R. Schoolcraft, who accompanied the ex- 
pedition, afterward published his journal, giving a 
particular account of the country, and of the inci- 
dents which occurred along their route. 

Soon after this an important change took place 



338 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

in the government of the territory. In 1823 Con- 
gress passed an act abrogating the legislative pow- 
er of the governor and judges, and establishing a 
legislative council, to consist of nine members, 
limiting also the judges' term of office to four 
years. Two years afterward all county officers, 
excepting those of a judicial character, were made 
elective by the people ; all executive appointments 
were required to be approved by the legislative 
council ; and an act was passed empowering the 
governor and council to divide the territory into 
townships, to incorporate the same, and to define 
their rights and privileges.* 

The Erie Canal, which had been commenced in 
1817, was in 1825 opened for navigation from the 
Hudson to Buffiilo ; and this event forms an im. 
portant epoch in the progress of Michigan. The 
effect of this great public improvement on the in- 
terests of the West was twofold ; it cheapened 
the foreign merchandise of which it stood in need, 
and in the same or a still greater proportion en- 
hanced the price of its agricultural products. Its 
lands therefore increased in value, new facilities 
and new motives were offered for settlement, and 
from this period those vast and fertile regions ad- 
vanced rapidly in population and general prosperity. 

To meet the claims of the increasing population 
* Territorial Laws. 



GROWTH OF MICHIGAN. 239 

of the territory, new privileges were granted. In 
1827 the legislative council was made elective by 
the people, with the power of enacting laws, sub- 
ject to the approval of Congress and the veto of 
the local executive ; and upon this footing things 
remained until the territory was admitted into the 
Union. 

Governor Cass, meanwhile, was indefatigable in 
his efforts to have roads constructed through the 
interior, and, warned by the experience of th6 past, 
to provide effectually for the public defence. His 
whole administration, indeed, was characterized 
by a persevering zeal to promote the prosperity of 
Michigan ; to improve its institutions, and to de- 
velop its resources. 

A new impulse, as we have already remarked, 
had been given to the progress of the West. It 
offered a boundless field for enterprise, and began 
to be considered the proper asylum and retreat for 
all who would better their fortune by industry. 
It was emphatically " the poor man's country," 
where his labour was sure to be rewarded by com- 
petence, and eventually by wealth. Hence popu- 
lation flowed in rapidly from the East. The har- 
dy settlers, scattering over the country, made the 
woods resound with the stroke of the axe ; and 
everywhere the smoke of their cabins was seen 
* Territorial Laws. 



240 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

ascending from the depths of the forest. The 
lakes presented a no less animated scene : the 
white wings of commerce were spread out upon 
their waters, and the cloud from the distant steam- 
er was seen stretching along the horizon. The 
reign of Nature in these hitherto silent and seclu- 
ded solitudes was at an end, and that of man, with 
all its life, and bustle, and activity, had begun. 

In 1831, General Cass, having been appointed 
secretary of war, was succeeded by Mr. George 
B. Porter in the government of the territory, the 
population of which at this time amounted to about 
thirty-five thousand. During his administration, 
Wisconsin, which had before been annexed to 
Michigan, was erected into a separate territory. 
Meantime the commerce on Lake Erie was rapid- 
ly increasing. A road, which was, to say the least, 
passable at some seasons of the year, was con- 
structed across the Black Swamp, and numerous 
avenues were opened into the interior. In conse- 
quence of these improvements, the country became 
better known, a spirit of speculation was awaken- 
ed, and, in addition to the actual settlers, the woods 
were traversed by numbers in search of desirable 
tracts, which they purchased at the government 
price, in the expectation of realizing large profits 
from their rapid increase in value. 

The method adopted by the government in ma- 



MANNER OF LAND SURVEYS. 241 

king their surveys is one of great accuracy. Two 
straight lines were drawn across the territory, the 
one running north and south, the other east and 
west. The north and south line was denominated 
the principal meridian, and the east and west line 
was called the base line. The territory was then 
divided into townships six miles square, and these 
were subdivided into thirty-six sections of a square 
mile each, the townships being numbered in reg- 
ular order, commencing at the meridian and base 
lines, and increasing as they receded from them. 
The mathematical accuracy of this method, and 
the farther circumstance that each section and 
township, and also the Hnes of the sections, were 
blazed or marked upon the trees, enabled the em- 
igrant, even in the depths of the forest, to find 
clear landmarks to guide his course, and to ascer- 
tain the actual boundaries of each tract. The 
smallest lot which can be purchased is one of 
eighty acres, or a fractional lot made by a town- 
ship line or by the course of a stream. 

Prior to the year 1820, the established govern- 
ment price for land was two dollars an acre, one 
fourth of which was required to be paid at the 
time of purchase, and the remainder in three an- 
nual instalments, the land being subject to forfeit- 
ure if these were not punctually paid, while a dis- 
count of eight per cent, was allowed if the whole 



242 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

amount was paid in advance. This system, how 
ever, was found to be productive of serious evils. 
The expectation of gain induced many to make 
large purchases, and while some realized fortunes, 
perhaps, from their investments, others, who were 
less successful, were without the means of paying 
their instalments, and thus the whole became liable 
to forfeiture. These results led to a total change 
of the system. The price of the public lands was 
reduced from two dollars to one dollar and a quar- 
ter the acre, the whole of which was required to 
be paid down at the time the purchase was made. 
This was attended with the best effects, prevent- 
ing a vast deal of trouble and loss to the govern- 
ment, discouraging reckless speculation, and ena- 
bling the industrious settler with moderate means 
to acquire for himself a clear and unencumbered 
title to his land. 

Meanwhile a controversy sprang up which came 
near terminating in serious collision with a neigh- 
bouring state. By the ordinance of 1787 it was 
provided that any one of the grand divisions with- 
in the limits of the Northwest Territory should be 
entitled to admission into the Union whenever its 
population amounted to sixty thousand ; and Mich- 
igan having already that number of inhabitants, 
claimed the right thus granted. The controversy 
alluded to was in relation to the boundary-line 



MICHIGAN MADE A STATE. 243 

between the latter and Ohio, as established by the 
ordinance of 1787. Each government claimed a 
rich and extensive tract as failing within its limits, 
which was made still more valuable from the pro- 
posed terminus of the Wabash and Erie Canal, a 
work of great promise, being included within it. 
So much excitement, indeed, prevailed, that both 
parties sent a military force to the disputed fron- 
tier.* 

Meanwhile the people of Michigan, having call- 
ed a Convention and formed a State Constitution, 
petitioned Congress to be admitted into the Union, 
claiming as a part of their territory the tract in 
dispute with Ohio. Congress, however, decided 
in favour of the latter state, and assigned to Mich- 
igan, in place of the fertile strip along her southern 
border, about twenty-five thousand square miles of 
barren, mountainous country on the shores of Lake 
Superior. f 

Stevens T. Mason was elected the first govern- 
or under the new organization. Mistress of her 
own legislation, and left to her own energies, 

* The ordinance of 1787 declared that not less than three 
nor more than five states should be formed from the North- 
western Territory. Four of these have been already organ- 
ized : Ohio was made a state in 1802 ; Indiana in 1816; Ilhnois 
in 1818; Michigan in 1835; and Wisconsin alone remains to 
be admitted into the Union. 

t Act of Congress. 



244 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Michigan started forward rapidly in the career of 
improvement. By a census of her population ta- 
ken in 1837, it was found to amount to one hun- 
dred and seventy-five thousand, consisting princi- 
pally of emigrants from New- York and New-Eng- 
land. The existing laws were reformed ; new ones, 
where they were required, were enacted ; and a 
plan of public instruction was adopted, for the gen- 
eral diffusion of education among the people. This 
last act is one of the greatest importance, and pos- 
terity will regard as their greatest benefactors 
those to whose enlightened forethought they will 
be indebted for so wise and munificent a system. 

In connexion with this subject the following par- 
ticulars will be found interesting. By the ordi- 
nance of 1787, seventy-two sections of land were 
granted by Congress for the endowment of a Uni- 
versity, and to these three sections were afterward 
added, so that this fund now consists of seventy- 
five sections, amounting to forty-eight thousand 
acres. In the Report of the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction submitted to the Legislature in 
1838, it is estimated that these lands will sell for 
one million of dollars. A state University has 
therefore been organized, with a number of branch- 
es, and the parent or central institution established 
at Ann Arbor, a pleasant village about forty miles 
west of Detroit. 



SYSTEM OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. 245 

We have already remarked that, by the ordi- 
nance of 1787, lot number 16 in each township 
was directed to be reserved for the support of 
common schools. The quantity of land thus com- 
ing to the state for this object is one million, one 
hundred and forty-eight thousand, one hundred and 
sixty acres, which, according to a recent estimate 
made by the -superintendent of public instruction, 
will yield about six millions of dollars. Upon this 
broad basis a thorough system of common school 
education has been established, which, if faithfully 
carried out, will secure to the people of Michigan 
a high character for intelligence : in connexion 
with virtuous principles, the only guarantee for the 
permanence of our free institutions. 

The system of internal improvements also re- 
quires to be noticed, as showing the enterprising 
spirit of this youthful state. Three lines of rail- 
roads have been projected across the peninsular 
portion of the state, forming what are called the 
northern, southern, and middle tracks, The north. 
ern line is to commence at Palmer, on the St. 
Clair, and, running through the counties of St. 
Clair, La Peer, Genesee, Shiawassee, Clinton, and 
Ionia, and down the Grand River, is designed to 
terminate at the Grand Rapids, in Kent county. 
The southern line, starting from Monroe, and run- 
ning through the counties of Monroe, Lenawee, 



246 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

Hillsdale, Branch, St. Joseph, Cass, and Berrien, 
is intended to end at New- Buffalo, upon Lake 
Michigan. The middle line will commence at De- 
troit, and, running through the counties of Wayne, 
Washtenaw, Jackson, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and 
Berrien, is intended to terminate at the mouth of 
the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan. 

Besides these different railroads, the route fob a 
canal has been surveyed, to pass through the coun- 
ties of Macomb, Oakland, Livingston, Ingham, 
Eaton, Barry, and Allegan, commencing at Mt. 
Clemens, and terminating at Naples, on the Kala- 
mazoo River, about a mile from Lake Michigan. 
A ship-canal has also been projected around the 
Sault de Ste. Marie, to connect the waters of Lake 
Superior with those below, and thus open a con- 
tinuous line of navigation throughout the whole 
extent of these inland seas. 

When these various plans of internal improve- 
ment shall have been completed, forming four dif- 
ferent lines of communication across the penin- 
sula, the products of every part of the state will 
be brought within reach of a convenient and prof- 
itable market ; giving a new impulse to industry, 
and increased value to the soil. 

The local advantages of Michigan are peculiar- 
ly great. In addition to the fertility of her soil, 
she possesses a lake coast which in extent resem- 



PROSPERITY OF MICHIGAN. 247 

bles that of the ocean, and which will afford to 
her advantages similar to those enjoyed by the 
states bordering on the Atlantic shore ; and of the 
future magnitude of this internal commerce we 
may in some measure judge, by considering its 
vast increase hitherto : twenty years ago there 
was not a steamer upon the lakes, and very few 
sail vessels ; whereas there are now about seventy 
of the former, and several hundred of the latter. 
May we not anticipate that, at no distant day, the 
summer tourist will think as little of making an 
excursion to the head of Lake Superior as he now 
does of visiting Niagara or Quebec 1 

The agricultural industry of the state has, on 
the whole, kept pace with its improvements in 
other respects. Paper speculation did indeed, for 
a while, monopolize everybody's attention ; but 
sounder views now prevail, and straightforward 
industry is found to be the surest and best, and for 
the most part the only road to wealth. Owing to 
the neglect of cultivation during the speculating 
mania, the great addition made to the transitory 
population by the influx of new settlers, and the 
consequently increased demand for articles from 
ibroad, Michigan became largely indebted to the 
East. But these evils have been since corrected, 
and the western farmer is now in a condition to 
pay for the foreign merchandise he may need with 
T 



248 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. 

the products of his soil. Instead of being obliged 
to import wheat for her own consumption, this 
state has now a large and rapidly. increasing an- 
nual surplus for exportation. 

We here conclude our brief account of this young 
but advancing territory. We have seen it in the 
infancy of its settlement, under the blighting effects 
of feudal institutions similar to those existing in 
France at that period, being then little more than 
a mere ranging-ground for the Jesuit missionary 
and the fur-trader, a waste roamed over by the 
wild beast and the savage, and designedly kept in 
this state as a shelter for the fur-bearing animals. 
We have seen the French banner supplanted by 
the red cross of England, without producing any 
material change in the condition of the country ; 
and, finally, we have seen the stars and stripes of 
our own republic planted on the soil, and witnessed 
in the extraordinary improvements which have 
since taken place the wonder-working energies of 
our free institutions. 



APPENDIX. 



Note A., page 32. 

" Memoir of the Men and Provisions necessary for the Ves^ 

scls which the King intends to send into Canada. 

" To perform the voyage which the king our sovereign 
lord desires to have made to Canada, it must go, at the 
latest, in the middle of May, and must have the number 
of persons and ships hereinafter mentioned, to be increased 
or lessened as M. Le Connetable (the prime minister) shall 
think proper. 

" It will be reqmsite to have, as weU for guarding the 
ships that will remain there, as for the equipment of sev- 
eral boats which will be wanted to go into the various 
streams and rivers, 120 marmers : 

*' Also forty men of war ; harquebusiers : 

" Also thirty carpenters, as well of ships as of houses, 
and sawyers who work lengthways : 

" Ten master masons, who can be assisted by those of 
the country who will serve them : 

" Three men who can make lime ; 

" Three makers of tiles : 

" Two coalmen, to make charcoal : 

*' Four master farriers, each having a forge and two ser- 
vants, with two locksmiths : 

*' Four smiths, to search and ascertain if there be any 
mine of iron, and to make forges and work iron there • 



250 APPENDIX. 

" To take at least six vine-dressers and six laboureis • 

" Three barbers, and each a servant : 

" Two apothecaries, vnth each a servant, to examine and 
see the useful qualities of the herbs : 

" A physician and a servant : 

" Two goldsmiths who are lapidaries, with their neces- 
sary utensils, and each a servant : 

"Two master tailors and two master hosiers, and each 
a serv'ant : 

" Two joiners and two servants, with their tools : 

" Two master rope-makers and two servants, because 
there is hemp to make cordage : 

"Four cannoniers at least, and the men-of-war will 
make use of these when need requires : 

" Six churchmen, with all things necessary for divine 
service : in aU 276 men ; to be victualled for two years at 
least, that if the ships which shall be sent there next year 
should not arrive, those now going may not want food. 

" These victuals must be well made, and so good as to 
last all this time ; and there must be some of the dry wines 
of Spain. 

"These victuals may cost ten sols a month for each 
man, which, for the 276 men for twenty-four months, will 
amount to 33,120 livres. 

" They must also be furnished with clothes, beds, cov- 
erings, and aU other necessaries for two or three years ; 
and they must leave some money behind for their wives 
and children. 

" Therefore they must be paid in advance for fifteen or 
sixteen months, and this will cost at least, one with the 
other, 100 sols a month. 

" Ten tons of iron, which will cost fifty livi es. 

" Eight or ten prises of salt, as well for the people of the 



APPENDIX. 251 

country, who very much value it, as for those of the ships. 
This will cost in Brittany sixty sols for each prise. 

" Four milliers yards of common linen, as well for the 
natives as for the ships. 

" Three hundred pieces of crezeaus for natives and ships. 

" Also millstones, to make water-mills, wind-mills, and 
hand-mills. 

" They must- also carry out as many as possible of all 
manner and kinds of domestic beasts and birds, as well to 
do the work as to breed in the country, and all sorts of 
grains and seeds. 

" For their passage there must be at least six ships, of 
not less than 110 tons, with two barks of forty-five or fifty 
tons each ; these, with the smallest of the six ships, wiU 
remain there, and the other five will return as soon as they 
have landed the victuals and goods. For the return of 
these five, each must have tw^enty men over and above 
the aforesaid number. They may take in going and com- 
ing, and in staying there, five or six months, for which 
time they must be victualled ; and be paid two months on 
going out, and the remainder on their return. 

" There must be munitions of war to land for the forts : 
artillery, arquebuses, a croc, pikes, halberts, lead, balls, 
powder, and other things. 

" In the ships must be three boats, ready to put out when 
there, to go out on the streams and rivers. 

" All sorts of nail- work, pitch, and tar for the ships. 

" The six ships, being from 700 to 800 tons, will cost a 
crown per ton a month for moleage, or about 900 crowns 
a month, and for the six months 4900 cro\vTis. 

" There must be also provided pay and victuals for 100 
men, to bring back the shipping thip year- who may be d6< 



252 APPENDIX. 

tained six months, which would amount to 1000 livres a 
month, and therefore, for the six months, 6000 Uvres. 
" Made . . . September, 1538." 
I derive this curious paper from the collection of state 
letters made by Ribier in 1666, and addressed by him to 
Colbert, the celebrated minister of Louis XIV. This 
counsellor of state describes Canada as then "a vast coun- 
try, uncultivated Uke a desert, and in most places uninhab- 
ited, except by demons and wild beasts." 



Note B., page 35. 
Massacres of the Jesuits hy the Iroquois. 
Father Henxepin, who was for some time a mission- 
ary among the Iroquois, states that the savages believed 
him to be a conjurer, and a burnished silver chahce which 
he had in his possession was the subject of much fear. 
" The Indians," says Pere Jerome Lallemand, " fear us as 
the greatest sorcerers on earth." The first rehgious mis- 
sion of the Jesuits to the savages of North America was 
about the year 1611. Their zeal, and their patient endu- 
rance of every sort of privation, evinced the strength and 
fervour of their faith, which was not unfrequently crowned 
with the tortures of martyrdom. Pere Brebceuf, who had 
suffered the hardships of the wilderness for twenty years, 
was at last burned alive, together with his coadjutor, Pere 
Lallemand, upon the shores of Lake Huron. A niunber 
of other Jesuits were also put to death by the Iroquois. 
Among these were Daniel, Gamier, Buteaux, La Riborerde, 
Liegeouis, Goupil, and Constantin. An account of their 
privations is given in the work of Pere Lallemand, entitled 
• Relation dc ce qui s'cst dans Ic pays dcs Huro7is" 1640 



APPENDIX. 253 

Tor bed," says he, "we have nothing but a miserable 
piece of bark of a tree ; for nourishment, a handful or t\vo 
of corn, either roasted or soaked in water, which Geldom 
satisfies our hunger ; and, after all, not venturing to per- 
form even the ceremonies of our rehgion without being 
considered as sorcerers." In regard to the results of tlieir 
exertions, Pere Lallemand remarks, "With respect to 
adult persons in good health, there is httle apparent suc- 
cess ; on the contrary, there have been nothing but storms 
and whirlwinds from that quarter." 



Note C, page 85. 

The following grant, being the first in Detroit, was made 
by Antoine de Lamothe Cadillac, lord of Bouaget Mont- 
desert, and commandant for the king at Detroit Pont Char- 
train. 

" His majesty, by his despatches of the 14th, 17th, and 
19th June, 1705 and 1706, having given us power to cede 
the lands of Detroit in the manner which we shall judge 
good and convenient ; We, by virtue of the said power 
from his majesty, have given, granted, and ceded to Fran- 
cois Fafard Delorme, interpreter for the king in this place, 
his heirs and assigns, an extent of land of two arpents in 
front by twenty in depth, joining on one side of our manor, 
and on the other Francois Bosseron, and on the south the 
Grand Pviver ; which two arpents in front shall be drawn 
and alienated in the depth by the course north-noiihwest ; 
and in case any part short of two arpents shall be found in 
the ahenation, the same quantity shall be furnished to hira 
in another place, not yet ceded, without any expense ; 
which said two arpents in front by twenty in depth the 
said Francois Fafard, his heirs and assigns, shall hold and 



254 APPENDIX. 

enjoy forever, With the privilege of fishing, hunting, anil 
trapping — Shares, rabbits, partridges, and pheasants except- 
ed. Said Francois Fafard, liis heirs and assigns, shall be 
bound to pay us, our heirs and assigns, in our castle and 
principal manor, each year on the 20th of March, for the 
said habitation, the sum of five li\Tes quit rent and rent, 
and over and above, for other rights whereof we have di- 
vested ourselves, the sum of ten hvres in peltries good and 
merchantable ; and when a current money shall be estab- 
lished in this country, the said Francois Fafard shall pay 
the said rent in said money forever. He shall likewise be 
obliged to begin to clear and improve the said cession with- 
in three montiis from the date of these presents, in default 
whereof we shaU cede his habitation to whom it may ap- 
pertain. He, his heirs and assigns, shall be, moreover, obli- 
ged to comply with the following charges, claims, and con- 
ditions, to wit : to come and carry, plant or help to plant, 
a long Ma>-pole before the door of our principal manor on 
the first day of May in every year ; and if he fail, he shall 
pay us three hvres in money or good peltries ; he shall 
likewise be obliged to come and grind his grain in the mills 
which we have or shall have hereafter, on paying for the 
right of grinding, whatever kind the grain may be, eight 
pounds weight to the bushel ; and in case he shall sell his 
habitation in the whole or in part, he shaU be obhged to in- 
form us of it, and we reserve to ourselves the preference; 
at the price and sum which may be offered him ; and, on 
the same condition, lawful and permitted, he shall not sell, 
cede, or transfer it by mortgage but with our consent, he 
being subject to the public charges and servitudes, as also 
to the fees for right of alienation. 

Said Francois Fafard shall not be permitted during ten 
years to work, or cause any person to work, directly or in- 



APPENDIX. 255 

directly, at the profession and trade of a blacksmith, lock- 
smith, armorer, or brewer, -without a permit under our 
hand ; reserving, besides, the timber which may be wanted 
for the fortifications, and for the construction of boats or 
other vessels. Said Francois Fafard may send dowTi to 
Montreal, or other places of the lower colony, all the arti- 
cles he pleases, in as large a quantity as he chooses ; and 
bring from thence merchandise and other effects, in as large 
a quantity as he chooses, on the condition that he shall sell 
his said effects and merchandises by himself only, or by 
other inhabitants of this place, but not by engagecs or 
clerks, or foreigners or strangers, not established residents 
in this place with their family, on pain of confiscation and 
loss orsaid effects and merchandises ; and in case the said 
Francois Fafard shaU seU, cede, or transfer his habitation 
:n the whole to a foreigner, or another not estabhshed in 
tills place, the possessor or purchaser of said habitation in 
any manner, whatever he may be or become, shall be ha- 
ble to the same quit rent and rent as the said Francois Fa- 
fard ; and if the said Francois Fafard sells, cedes, or 
transfers part of his habitation to a foreigner, the purchaser, 
in whatever manner he be or become such, shaU be obhged 
to pay us, our heirs and assigns forever, in proportion of 
the said rent and quit rent ; and besides, over and above, 
for the rights whereof we have divested ourselves, the sum 
of ten livres for each year, on the 20th day of March. Said 
Francois Fafard shaU not be permitted to sell or trade away 
brandy to the Indians, on pain of confiscation and loss of 
his habitation, and of the brandy found thereon, or effects 
received for the same ; and if the said purchaser of the 
whole or of part is an inhabitant, and pays the sum of ten 
livres for the rights whereof we have divested ourselves, 
he shaU pay us only the quit rent and rents of his acquisi- 



256 APPENDIX. 

tion, and not the sum often livres over and above ; and if 
the habitation of the sal I Francois Fafard passes into other 
hands, in whatever manner it may be, and he be or become 
proprietor of another piece of ground, house, or habitation, 
the said Francois Fafard shall pay us, our heirs and assigns 
forever, the sum of ten Uvres for the rights whereof we 
have divested ourselves, besides the quit rent and rent of 
the habitation, piece of ground , or house ; and in case the 
said Francois Fafard remains without possession of any 
land, house, or habitation, he shall be divested of all the 
privileges to him granted by this present cession. In con- 
sideration, generally, of all the claims, charges, and condi- 
tions aforesaid towards us, our heirs and assigns, the said 
Francois Fafard, his heu's and assigns, shall hold and enjoy 
the said cession ; shall sell and trade as well with the 
French as with the Indians, conforming himself to the teg- 
ulations and to the orders of his majesty. 

Done at Fort Pontrhartrain, 10th of ]\Iarch, 1707. 

Lamothe Cadillac. 

These grants were generally required to be confirmed 
by the King of France ; but, from certain circumstances 
existing at that period, only tliree legal grants were made 
under the French government. To some of these tracts 
cessions in tne rear were subsequently added. Grants 
were afterward n.adb to French citizens by Bellcstre and 
other of the French commandants ; but it appears that 
these were unauthorized, and were never confirmed by the 
King of France. 



APPENDIX. 257 

Note D, page 86. 

The subjoined petition from sundry inhabitants of De- 
troit, to stay a trespass on a mill, exhibits the mode of le- 
gal proceeding in Michigan under the French domination. 

" To Messrs. De Celoron, knight of the royal and mili- 
tary order of St. Louisa commandant for the king at Fort 
Detroit, and Landrieve, doing the duty of commissary and 
deputy intendant of New-France in the said place, 

" The inhabitants of Detroit humbly represent to you, 
gentlemen, that the mill situated on the farm of Claude 
Campeau is of an indispensable necessity and convenience 
to the pubhc. They have heard that the named Cabacier, 
an inhabitant of Detroit, was seeking the means to have it 
demolished, under the pretext that the comer of his mead- 
ow v.'as inundated by the said mill. It is easily seen that 
it is in a spirit of incompatibility and contradiction towards 
his neighbours ; for in summer his meadow is dry, and in 
winter the water has its natural course, the said mill not 
going on account of the ice. This miU was constructed 
by the consent of M. De Boisherbeit, formerly commandant 
in this fort, as a thing useful to the public, and a long time 
before the cession of the land of the said Cabacier. If tliis 
mill had given any prejudice to the meadow which is 
alongside of his land, the first proprietors would not have 
faUed to make representations on that subject. The said 
mill has always existed tUl now without any interruption, 
it being, besides, erected on the land of its proprietor. 

" This being considered, may it please you, gentlemen, 
taking into view the public advantage and convenience, to 
order that the said miH shall continue as before ; it being, 
besides, the only one handy to this fort, and which goes 
the greatest part of the year : to forbid the said Cabacifjr 



258 APPENDIX. 

and all others to attempt any depredation on the said mill, 
or to trouble the owner, on pain of damages, costs, and in- 
terest, and you shall do justice. 

" Having seen the above, and no title having appeared 
to us, we order that the parties do apply to the governor 
and the intendant ; and the mill shall remam in its present 
situation until the decision of the governor and the intend- 
ant is had. 

" Done at Detroit, 30th June, 1753. 

" Landrieve, Celoron. 

" After having seen the foregoing petition, we order that 
the named Campeaux be in peaceable possession of the 
said mill, having given due regard to the opinion of Messrs. 
Celoron and Landrieve. 

" Done at Montreal, 22d August, 1753. 

^ " Du QUESNE." 



Note E, page 176. 

A TREATY of peace between the United States of Amer- 
ica and the tribes of Indians called the Wyandots, Dela- 
wares, Shawnees, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatamies, 
Miamis, Eell River, Weeas, Kickapoos, Kankashaws, and 
Kaskaskies. 

To put an end to a destructive war, to settle all contro- 
versies, and to restore harmony and a friendly intercourse 
between the said United States and Indian tribes : An- 
thony Wayne, major-general commanding the anny of 
the United States, and sole conamissioner for the good 
pmposes above-mentioned, and the said tribes of Indians 
by their sachems, chiefs, and wairiors, met together at 
Greenville, the headquarters of the said army, have agreed 



APPENDIX. 259 

on the folloAving articles, which, when ratified by the pres- 
ident, with the advioe and consent of the Senate of the 
United States, shall be binding on them and the said Indian 
tribes. 

Article 1. Henceforth all hostilities shall cease ; peace 
IS hereby estabhshed, and shall be perpetual ; and a friend- 
ly intercourse shall take place between the said United 
States and Indian tribes. 

Article 2. AU prisoners shaU on both sides be returned. 
The Indians, prisoners to the United States, shaU be im- 
mediately set at liberty. The people of the United States 
still remaming prisoners among the Indians shaU be de- 
livered up, in ninety days from the date hereof, to the gen- 
eral or commanding officer at Greenville, Fort Wayne, or 
Fort Defiance ; and ten chiefs of the said tribes shaU re- 
main at Greenville as hostages until the delivery of the 
prisoners shall be effected. 

Article 3. The general boundar}'--line between the lands 
of the United States and the lands of the said Indian tribes 
shall begin at the mouth of Wyahoga River, and run 
thence up the same to the portage between that and the 
Tuscarora branch of the Muskingum ; thence down that 
branch to the Great Miami River, running into the Ohio 
at or near which Kerk stood, Loromie's store, and where 
commences the portage between the Miami of the Ohio 
and St. Mary's River, which is a branch of the Miami 
which runs into Lake Erie ; thence a westerly course to 
Fort Recovery, which stands on a branch of the Wabash ; 
thence southwesterly in a direct line to the Ohio, so as to 
intersect that river opposite the mouth of Kentuky or Cat- 
tawa River. And, in consideration of the peace now es- 
tabhshed, of the goods formerly received from the United 
States, of those now to be delivered, and of the yearly de- 



260 APPENDIX. 

livery of goods no\^' stipulated to be made hereafter, and 
to indemnify the United States for the injuries and expen- 
ses they have sustained during the war, the said Indian 
tribes do hereby cede and rehnquish forever all their claims 
to the lands lying eastwardly and southwardly of the gen- 
eral boundary-line now described ; and those lands, or any 
part of them, shall never hereafter be made a cause or 
pretence, on the part of the said tribes, or any of them, of 
war or injury to the United States, or any of the people 
thereof. 

And for the same considerations, and as an evidence of 
the returning friendship of the said Indian tribes, of their 
confidence in the United States, and desire to provide for 
their accommodation, and for that convenient intercourse 
which will be beneficial to both parties, the said Indian 
tribes do also cede to the United States the following 
pieces of land, to wit: (1.) One piece of land six miles 
square, at or near Loromie's store before mentioned : (2.) 
One piece two miles square, at the head of the navigable 
water or landing on the St. Mary's River, near Girty's 
to-\vn : (3.) One piece six miles square, at the head of the 
navigable water of the Au Glaize River : (4.) One piece 
six miles square, at the confluence of the Au Glaize and 
Miami River, where Fort Defiance now stands : (5.) One 
piece six miles square, at or near the confluence of the 
Rivers St. Mary's and St. Joseph's, where Fort Wayne 
now stands, or near it : (6.) One piece two miles square, 
on the Wabash River, at the end of the portage from the 
Miami of the Lake, and about eight miles westward from 
Fort Wayne : (7.) One piece six miles square, at the Ou- 
atanon, or old Weea towns on the Wabash River : (8.) 
One piece twelve miles square, at the British Fort on the 
Miami of the Lake, at the foot of the Rapids : (9.) One piece 



APPENDIX. 261 

fiix miles square, at the mouth of the said river, where it 
empties into the lake : (10.) One piece six miles square, 
upon Sandusky Lake, where a fort formerly stood: (11.) 
One piece two miles square, at the lower Rapids of San- 
dusky River : (12.) The Post of Detroit, and all the land 
to the north, the west, and the south of it, of which the 
Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or grants to the 
French or English governments ; and so much more land 
to be annexed to the District of Detroit as shall be com- 
prehended between the River Rosine on the south, Lake 
St. Clair on the north, and a line, the general course where- 
of shall be six miles distant from the west end of Lake 
Erie and Detroit River : (13.) The post of Michilimackinac, 
and all the land on the island on which that post stands, 
and the main land adjacent, of which the Indian title has 
been extinguished by gifts or grants to the French or Eng- 
lish governments ; and a piece of land on the main to tne 
north of the island, to measure six miles on Lake Huron, 
or the strait between Lake Huron and Michigan, and to 
extend three miles back from the w^ater of the lake or 
strait ; and also the island de Bois Blanc, being an extra 
and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation : (14.) One piece 
of land of six miles square, at the mouth of Cliikajo River, 
emptying into the southwest end of Lake Michigan, where 
a fort formerly stood : (15.) One piece twelve miles square, 
at or near the mouth of the Ilhnois River, emptying into 
the Mississippi : (16.) One piece six miles square, at the 
old Piorias Fort and village, near the south end of the Il- 
hnois Lake, on said Illinois River ; and whenever the Uni- 
ted States shall think proper to survey and mark the bound- 
aries of the land hereby ceded to them, they shall give 
timely notice thereof to the said tribes of Indians, that 
they may appoint some of their wise chiefs to attend, and 



262 APPENDIX. 

see that the lines are run according to the terms of the 
treaty. 

And the said Indian tribes will allow to the people of the 
United States a firee passage by land and by water, as one 
and the other shall be found convenient, through their 
country, along the chain of posts herein before mentioned ; 
that is to say, from the coixunencement of the portage 
aforesaid at or near Loromie's store, thence along the 
said portage to the St. Mary's, and down the same to Fort 
Wayne, and then down the Miami to Lake Erie. Again, 
from the commencement of the portage at or near Loro- 
mie's store along the portage ; from thence to the River 
Au Glaize, and down the same to its junction with the 
Miami at Fort Defiance. Again, from the commencement 
of the portage to the Sandusky River, and down the same 
to Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie ; and from Sandusky to 
the post which shall be taken at or near the foot of the 
Rapids of the Miami of the Lake, and from thence to De- 
troit. Again, from the mouth of Chikajo to the commence- 
ment of the portage between that river and the lUinois, 
and down the Illinois River to the Mississippi ; also from 
Fort Wayne along the portage aforesaid which leads to the 
Wabash, and then down the Wabash to the Ohio. And 
the said Indian tribes will also aUow to the people of the 
United States the free use of the harbours and mouths of 
rivers along the lakes adjoining the Indian lands, for shel- 
tering vessels and boats, and hberty to land their cargoes 
when necessary for their safety. 

Article 4. In consideration of the peace now estabhshed, 
and of the cessions and rehnquishments of land made in 
the preceding article by the said tribes of Indians, and to 
manifest the liberality of the United States as the great 
means of rendering tliis peace strong and perpetual, the 



APPENDIX. 263 

United States relinquish their claims to aU other Indian 
lands northward of the River Ohio, eastward of the Mis- 
sissippi, and westward and southward of the great lakes, 
and the waters uniting them, according to the boundary- 
line agreed on by the United States and the King of Great 
Britain in the treaty of peace made between them in the 
year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-tluree. 

But from this relinquishment by the United States the 
following tracts of land are exphcitly excepted : 

1st. The tract of one hundred and fifty thousand acres 
near the Rapids of the River Ohio, which has been as- 
signed to General Clarke for the use of himself and his 
warriors. 

2d. The Post of St. Vincennes, on the River Wabash, 
and the lands adjacent, of which the Indian title has been 
extinguished. 

3d. The lands at all other places in possession of the 
French people, and other wliite settlers among them, of 
which the Indian title has been extinguished, as mentioned 
in the tliird article ; and, 

4th. The Post of Fort Massae, towards the mouth of the 
Oliio, To which several parcels of land so excepted, the 
said tribes relinquish aU the title and claim which they or 
any of them may have. 

And for the same considerations, and with the same 
views as above mentioned, the United States now deliver 
to the said Indian tribes a quantity of goods to the value 
of twenty thousand dollars, the receipt whereof they do 
hereby acknowledge ; and henceforward every year for- 
ever, the United States will deliver, at some convenient 
place northward of the River Ohio, like useful goods, suit 
ed to the circumstances of the Indians; to the value of nine 
thousand five hundred dollars, reckoning that value as the 
U 



264 APPENDIX. 

first cost of the goods in the city or place of tlie United 
States where they shall be procured. The tribes to which 
those goods are to be annually dehvered, and the propor- 
tions in which they are to be delivered, are the following ; 
1st. To the Wyandots the amount of one thousand dollars 
2d. To the Delawares the amount of one thousand dollars 
3d. To the Shawnees the amount of one thousand dollars. 
4th. To the Miamis the amount of one thousand dollars. 
5th. To the Ottawas the amount of one thousand dollars. 
6th. To the Chippewas the amount of one thousand dol- 
lars. 7th. To the Pottawatamies the amount of one thou- 
sand dollars. 8th. To the Kickapoo, Lorra, Eell River, 
Kankashaws, and Kaskaskias tribes, the amount of five 
hundred dollars each. 

Provided, That if either of the said tribes shaU hereafter, 
at an annual delivery of their share of the goods aforesaid, 
desire that a part of their annuity should be furnished in 
domestic animals, implements of husbandry, and other 
utensds convenient for them, and in compensation to use- 
ful artificers, who may reside with or near them, and be 
employed lor tlieir benefit, the same shall, at the subsequent 
annual dehveries, be furnished accordingly. 

Article 5. To prevent any misundcrstandmg about the 
Indian lands rehnquished by the United States in the fourth 
article, it is now exphcitly declared that the meaning of 
that relinquishment is this : The Indian tribes who have 
a right to those lands are quietly to enjoy them, hunting, 
planting, and dwelhng thereon so long as they please, with- 
out any molestation from the United States ; but when 
those tribes, or any of them, shall be disposed to sell their 
lands, or any part of them, they are to be sold only to the 
United States ; and, untU such sales, the United States 
will protect all the said Indian tribes hi the quiet enjoy- 



APPENDIX. 265 

ment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, 
and against all other white persons who intrude upon the 
same ; and the said Indian tribes again acknowledge them- 
selves to be under the protection of the United States, and 
no other power whatever. 

Article 6. If any citizen of the United States, or any 
other white person or persons, shaU presume to settle upon 
the lands now relinquished by the United States, such 
citizen or other person shaU be out of the protection of the 
United States ; and the Indian tribe on whose lands the 
settlement shall be made, may drive off the settler, or pun- 
ish him in such a manner as they shaU think fit ; and be- 
cause such settlements, made without the consent of the 
United States, wiU be injurious to them as well as to the 
Indians, the United States shaU be at hberty to break them 
up, and remove and punish the settlers as they shaU think 
proper, and so effect that protection of the Indian lands 
herein before stipulated. 

Article 7. The said tribes of Indians, parties to this 
treaty, shall be at liberty to hunt within the territory and 
lands wdiich they have now ceded to the United States 
without hinderance or molestation, so long as they demean 
themselves peaceably, and offer no injury to the people of 
the United States. 

Article 8. Trade shall be opened with the said Indian 
tribes ; and they do hereby respectively engage to afford 
protection to such persons, with their property, as shall be 
duly licensed to reside among them, for the purpose of 
trade, and to their agents and servants ; but no person 
shall be permitted to reside at any of their towns or hunt- 
ing-camps as a trader, who is not furnished with a license 
"or that purpose under the hand and seal of the superin- 
endent of the department northwest of the Ohio, or such 



266 APPENDIX. 

Other persons as the President of the United States shall 
authorize to examine such licenses, to the end that the 
said Indians may not be imposed on in tlieir trade ; and if 
any licensed trader shall abuse his privilege by unfair deal* 
ing, upon complaint and proof thereof his license shall be 
taken from him, and he shall be farther punished accord- 
ing to the laws of the United States. And if any person 
shall intrude himself as a trader without such license, the 
said Indians shall take and bring him before the superin- 
tendent or his deputy, to be dealt with according to law ; 
and, to prevent impositions by forged licenses, the said In- 
dians shall, at least once a year, give information to the 
superintendent or his deputies of the names of the traders 
residing among them. 

Article 9. Lest the firm peace and friendship now es- 
tablished should be interrupted by the misconduct of in- 
dividuals, the United States and the said Indian tribes 
agree that, for injuries done by individuals on either side, 
no private revenge or retahation shall take place ; but, in- 
stead thereof, complaint shall be made by the party injured 
to the other : by the said Indian tribes or any of them to 
the President of the United States, or the superintendent 
by him appointed ; and by the superintendent, or other 
person appointed by the president, to the principal chiefs 
of the Indian tribes, or of the tribe to which the offender 
belongs ; and such prudent measures shall then be pur- 
sued as shall be necessary to preserve the said peace and 
friendship unbroken, until the Legislature (or Great Coun- 
cil) of the United States shall make other equitable provis- 
ion in the case to the satisfaction of both parties. Should 
any Indian tribes meditate a war against the United States 
or either of them, and the same shall come to the knowl- 
edge of the before-mentioned tribes or either of them, they 



APPENDIX. 267 

do hereby engage to give notice thereof to the general oi 
officer commanding the troops of the United States at the 
nearest post. And should any tribe, with hostile intentions 
against the United States or either of them, attempt to 
pass through their country, they will endeavour to prevent 
the same, and, in like manner, give information of such at 
tempt to the general or officer commanding as soon as 
possible, that all causes of mistrust and suspicion may be 
avoided between them and the United States. 

In like manner, the United States shall give notice to the 
said Indian tribes of any harm that may be meditated 
against them, or either of them, that shall come to their 
knowledge, and do all in their power to hinder and pre- 
vent the same, that the friendship between them may be 
uninterrupted. 

Article 10. AU other treaties heretofore made between 
the United States and the said Indian tribes, or any of 
them, since the treaty of 1783 between the United States 
and Great Britain, that come within the provisions of this 
treaty, shall henceforth cease and become voi'd. 

Done at Greenville, in the territory of the United States, 
northwest of the River Ohio, on the third day of August, 
one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five. 

Anthony Wayne (L.S.). 



Note F, page 200. 

By William Hull, Brigadier-general and Conmiander-in- 

chief of the Northwestern Army of the United States • 

A proclamation. 

Inhabitants of Canada : 

After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United 

States have been driven to arms. The injuries and ag- 



268 APPENDIX. 

gressions, the insults and indignities cf Great Britain, have 
left them no alternative but manly resistance or uncondi- 
tional submission. The army under my command has in- 
vaded your country, and the standard of the Union now 
waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable, 
unoffending inhabitants it brings neither danger nor difH- 
culty. I come to find enemies, not to make them ; I come 
to protect, not to injure you. Separated by an immense 
ocean and an extensive wilderness from Great Britain, you 
have no participation in her councils, no interest in hei 
conduct ; you have felt her tyranny, you have seen her in- 
justice ; but I do not ask you to revenge the one or to re- 
dress the other. The United States are sufficiently pow- 
erful to afford every security consistent with their rights 
and your expectations. I tender you the invaluable bless- 
ing of civil, political, and religious hberty, and their ne- 
cessary result, individual and general prosperity. That 
liberty which gave decision to our councils and energy to 
our conduct in a struggle for independence, and which 
conducted us safe and triumphantly through the stormy 
period of the Revolution. That liberty which has raised 
us to an elevated rank among the nations of the world, and 
which afforded us a greater measure of peace, and security 
of w^calth, and improvement, than ever fell to the lot of any 
country. In the name of my country, and by the author- 
ity of government, I promise you protection to your per- 
sons, property, and rights. Remain at your homes ; pur- 
sue your peaceful and customaiy avocations ; raise not 
your hand against your brethren. Many of your fathers 
fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. 
Being children, therefore, of the same family with us, and 
heirs to the same heritage, the arrival of an army of friends 
must be hailed by you with a cordial welcome. You will 



\prEiNDix. 269 

be emancipated from tyranny and oppression, and restored 
to the dignified station of freemen. Had I any doubt of 
eventual success, I might ask your assistance ; but I do 
not; I come prepared for every contingency. I have a 
force which will look down all opposition, and that force 
is the vanguard of a much greater. If, contrary to your 
own interest and th.e just expectation of my country, you 
should take part in the approaching contest, you will be 
considered and treated as enemies, and the horrors and 
calamities of war will stalk before you. If the barbarous 
and savage policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the 
savages be let loose to murder our citizens and butcher our 
women and children, tliis war will be a war of extermina- 
tion. The first stroke of the tomahawk, the first attempt 
with the scalping-knife, will be the sequel of one indiscrim- 
inate scene of desolation. No white man found fighting 
by the side of an Indian will be taken prisoner ; instant 
destruction will be his lot. If the dictates of reason, duty, 
justice, and humanity cannot prevent the emplo3Tnent of 
a force which respects no rights and knows no wi'ong, it 
will be prevented by a severe and relentless system of re- 
taliation. I doubt not your courage and firmness ; I wiU 
not doubt your attachment to liberty. The United States 
offer you peace, liberty, and security ; your choice lies be- 
tween these and war, slavery and destruction. Choose, 
then, but choose wisely ; and may He who knows the jus- 
tice of our cause, and who holds in his hands the fate of 
nations, guide you to a result the most compatible with 
your rights and interests, your peace and happiness. 

By the general, A. P. Hull, 

Capt. of the 13th U. S. Reg't. of Infantry and Aiddecamp. 

Headquaiters, Sandwich, July 12th, 1813. 



SEP 2 9 1350 



^y^^^^^y^i/n 



^^..<^^ 







^^. 



-= ^.^ ^'#^e 



r. -^ 









-^2.^ 



:^\/^-:^.ymy j''-^: 



%. 






<> 









.# -^^ 






cP\ 




^:^^:^^* ^(^^ '^ V 










C . 









.% 








^^\.^ ^Mk^^.J' :: 



" ^ ^0^ 






..■-■ ." .^ 



G^^^^ssY^.,;^^ 




Z'^^\4^ 







